Update
GEORGE NEWS - The 47-year-old man from Zone 9 in Thembalethu who is accused of raping and impregnating a 13-year-old girl has abandoned his bail application. He appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Tuesday 29 October.
It is alleged that the suspect raped the victim, who is his daughter's friend, on three separate occasions. According to the girl's mother, the first incident took place in February this year.
Her mother only became aware of what had happened when her daughter stopped menstruating. The girl was taken to a clinic for a check-up and it was confirmed that she was two months pregnant.
Community members from Zone 9, led by their ward councillor, Faith Nogilana, attended the hearing in their numbers and picketed outside court, asking the justice system not to grant bail.
Speaking with the media, Nogilana said the suspect doesn't deserve to be free.
"This is the man that was trusted by the community. We are afraid if he is released he might do this again. We are here to show support to the family and to ask the court not to allow this man outside prison," she said.
The case was postponed to 5 December for further investigation.
Read a previous article: Man allegedly rapes and impregnates girl
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