A MAN accused of raping two minor children was yesterday granted bail by the Naphuno magistrate's court, near Tzaneen, despite warnings that his life could be in danger.
The accused, Maishe Herbert Rakgoale, was granted R1000 bail after the court said he could not interfere with witnesses.
He is accused of raping two girls aged 8 and 9 in separate incidents between February 10 and 14.
The court said Rakgoale was once released on bail after similar accusations involving sexual activities with minor children but did not pose any danger to witnesses.
Rakgoale's legal counsel Barnus Shirindza argued that the 62-year-old Rakgoale could not have raped the children because he suffered from erectile dysfunction, meaning he cannot have an erection.
Shirindza argued that the doctor's examinations on the two children did not prove that they had been penetrated. The counsel was referring to the doctor's medical report that the girls had wounds on their private parts but could not tell whether these were caused by rape.
In spite of arguments by the state that Rakgoale's life could be in danger as the community was baying for his blood, the court granted him R1000 bail.
The rapes allegedly took place at Rakgoale's business premises in Sedikodiko Street in Naphuno. Rakgoale allegedly gave the minors chips and R10 each after the rapes.
The granting of bail was received with mixed feelings by ordinary members of the community.
In court was community member Jostina Letsoalo who applauded the decision to grant him bail. Letsoalo argued that a second opinion was needed to determine whether the girls were penetrated or not.
"Otherwise the court will send the wrong man to jail or allow him to get away with murder," Letsoalo said.
The mothers of the "raped" girls said justice was meant for the rich only "that is why Rakgoale was granted bail".
Sowetan published an article yesterday highlighting the plight of one of the "raped" minors.
The nine-year-old girl had not been to school since the alleged rape on February 10.
The girl is allegedly scared of going back to school because "everyone gives her strange looks", her mother said. The case was postponed to April 5.
Court told of anger by the community
A MAN accused of raping two minor children was yesterday granted bail by the Naphuno magistrate's court, near Tzaneen, despite warnings that his life could be in danger.
The accused, Maishe Herbert Rakgoale, was granted R1000 bail after the court said he could not interfere with witnesses.
He is accused of raping two girls aged 8 and 9 in separate incidents between February 10 and 14.
The court said Rakgoale was once released on bail after similar accusations involving sexual activities with minor children but did not pose any danger to witnesses.
Rakgoale's legal counsel Barnus Shirindza argued that the 62-year-old Rakgoale could not have raped the children because he suffered from erectile dysfunction, meaning he cannot have an erection.
Shirindza argued that the doctor's examinations on the two children did not prove that they had been penetrated. The counsel was referring to the doctor's medical report that the girls had wounds on their private parts but could not tell whether these were caused by rape.
In spite of arguments by the state that Rakgoale's life could be in danger as the community was baying for his blood, the court granted him R1000 bail.
The rapes allegedly took place at Rakgoale's business premises in Sedikodiko Street in Naphuno. Rakgoale allegedly gave the minors chips and R10 each after the rapes.
The granting of bail was received with mixed feelings by ordinary members of the community.
In court was community member Jostina Letsoalo who applauded the decision to grant him bail. Letsoalo argued that a second opinion was needed to determine whether the girls were penetrated or not.
"Otherwise the court will send the wrong man to jail or allow him to get away with murder," Letsoalo said.
The mothers of the "raped" girls said justice was meant for the rich only "that is why Rakgoale was granted bail".
Sowetan published an article yesterday highlighting the plight of one of the "raped" minors.
The nine-year-old girl had not been to school since the alleged rape on February 10.
The girl is allegedly scared of going back to school because "everyone gives her strange looks", her mother said. The case was postponed to April 5.
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