In a heartbreaking case that has sparked widespread outrage, the investigating officer in the rape case of an 11-year-old girl has formally opposed the bail application of the accused, a 29-year-old Ugandan national. The man, whose alleged crimes span several years, made another appearance at the Boksburg Magistrates Court on Thursday, where disturbing details of the alleged multiple rapes were presented.
According to the court documents, the accused reportedly began abusing the young girl when she was just six years old, continuing until she fell pregnant following the most recent incident in December 2024. The investigating officer voiced grave concerns about the possibility of the accused fleeing the country if granted bail, citing his ties to Uganda as a significant risk.
Prosecutor Kagiso Ralethata read the officer’s affidavit before the court, asserting, “The accused person is from Uganda and he is legal in South Africa. He has ties, family and financial; however, given the gravity of this particular offence, he may have an incentive to leave trial and go back home.” The statement reflects the profound anxiety felt by the victim’s family and community, as well as the potential implications for public order should the accused be released.
The community’s anger is palpable, with vocal protests calling for justice echoing in the streets. Echoing their fears, the victim’s family has directly pleaded with the court to deny bail, with the investigating officer highlighting evidence of a significant public outcry. “There is evidence that shows that people are protesting against the release of the accused, and there is also a petition from the community,” Ralethata reported.
Compounding the tragedy, it has emerged that the family of the accused reached out to the victim’s family, allegedly offering a reward for the withdrawal of the case. The officer noted in court that shortly after the arrest, the victim’s mother received an unsettling call from someone identifying herself as the mother of the accused. This unknown caller suggested that matters could be settled out of court, implying a financial incentive to drop the charges.
This attempt at intimidation and the potential influence on witnesses have been firmly recorded as aggravating factors in the case against granting bail. The investigating officer’s affidavit encapsulates the gravity of the situation, insisting that any bail application should be denied to safeguard the integrity of the ongoing trial.
The case, marked by its harrowing details and the community’s fervent pursuit of justice, has now been postponed to 28 May, where the focus will remain on the safety of the victim and the precarious balance of justice in the face of such serious allegations.