GEORGE NEWS - The husband (40) of a well-known Thembalethu woman in political circles will appear in the George Magistrate’s Court on Monday 22 June after he was arrested on suspicion of rape on Thursday.
The suspect, who is still in custody, made his first court appearance yesterday morning, Friday 19 Jume.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Malcolm Pojie, the George Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) is investigating the case after the victim reported the incident at the Thembalethu police station on Tuesday 16 June.
“The victim (41) alleges that she was on her way home from a tavern on Monday at approximately 20:30 when the suspect pulled up next to her in his vehicle and offered her a lift. She got into the vehicle and they proceeded to a dark bushy area in Zone 8, Thembalethu where the man allegedly assaulted her before raping her inside his vehicle,” he said.
The vehicle, a VW Polo Vivo, that the suspect allegedly travelled in at the time of the incident, was confiscated and sent for forensic tests.
In a press statement sent out by the ANC Woman’s League (ANCWL) Victor Molosi Southern Cape Region, shortly after the alleged incident, coordinator Ntombovuyo Nogogo, said they became aware of the incident through social media and visited the victim to confirm the rumours.
“The victim confirmed that she has opened a case. The victim assured us she had met with a doctor but had not received counselling,” reads the statement.
According to the statement the suspect’s wife said that she supports the victim and would like to see her receive the justice she deserves. The ANCWL also confirmed that they would like to assist the victim in receiving proper counselling.
“Our support must remain clear that we as the Women’s League are here to support all victims in any way that we can.”
Alleged bribery
The statement by the ANCWL also refers to an incident of corruption saying, “We have been alerted on an alleged bribe that took place with regards to this case. We will wait upon the ANC for the internal investigation. Should these allegations be proven to be true then the necessary disciplinary actions will be taken.”
In response to the allegation Pojie said that they are aware of a certain voice note doing the rounds on social media whereby the victim makes certain allegations against the investigating officer. “These allegations are of a serious nature and an internal investigation was immediately instituted,” he said.
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