Thozi Manyisana
Thozi Manyisana
The rape case against a school caretaker, Douglas Makholwa, 48, was postponed for the fourth time at the Zwelitsha magistrates' court yesterday.
Makholwa is accused of raping a 10-year-old girl from Zwelitsha, near King William's Town, in the Eastern Cape.
According to the family it is the second time Makholwa had raped the girl - the first time was in 1999 when she was just over two years old.
The first case "ended in the air" after Makholwa was granted bail.
The case was postponed until today after Makholwa's lawyer failed to arrive at court.
An investigating officer, who refused to give her name told Sowetan that she would vehemently oppose Makholwa's bail.
"He must not be given bail. The community is angry. We should use him as an example," she said outside the court.
The court room was yesterday packed to capacity with women who showed support for the victim and voiced opposition to bail for Makholwa.
Thembisa Majika said Makholwa was a caretaker at Pondo Primary School in Phakamisa near King William's Town and the parents "now feared for their children's safety at the school".
Majika said that Makholwa should not be given bail.
He should know today if he will get bail or not.
Lawyer delays rape case
Thozi Manyisana
Thozi Manyisana
The rape case against a school caretaker, Douglas Makholwa, 48, was postponed for the fourth time at the Zwelitsha magistrates' court yesterday.
Makholwa is accused of raping a 10-year-old girl from Zwelitsha, near King William's Town, in the Eastern Cape.
According to the family it is the second time Makholwa had raped the girl - the first time was in 1999 when she was just over two years old.
The first case "ended in the air" after Makholwa was granted bail.
The case was postponed until today after Makholwa's lawyer failed to arrive at court.
An investigating officer, who refused to give her name told Sowetan that she would vehemently oppose Makholwa's bail.
"He must not be given bail. The community is angry. We should use him as an example," she said outside the court.
The court room was yesterday packed to capacity with women who showed support for the victim and voiced opposition to bail for Makholwa.
Thembisa Majika said Makholwa was a caretaker at Pondo Primary School in Phakamisa near King William's Town and the parents "now feared for their children's safety at the school".
Majika said that Makholwa should not be given bail.
He should know today if he will get bail or not.