Rape suspect abandons bail bid

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The man who stands accused of raping his girlfriend's daughter (12), abandoned his bail application when he appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Friday 8 February.

The man, who is in his 40s, was reported to the police after he mentioned sleeping with the child in conversation with another woman.

The woman said he made inappropriate comments about the child, saying he prefers "sleeping with the girl to sleeping with her mother". She then informed other community members who investigated the matter and reported the man to the police.

It appears that the man raped the girl occasionally when her mother was not around.

Following the arrest, community members in Zone 7 organised a meeting saying they don't want the man to return to their community.

Community members were also present in court on Friday to support the young victim, saying they came to plead with the state not to let the suspect out. They said they are tired of rapists and all those who abuse women and children in their community. The case was postponed until 12 March.

Camille Haupt and Zizipho Saule of Total Shutdown show their support.