Former president Nelson Mandela's granddaughter Ndileka Mandela yesterday led a contingent of supporters who gave moral support to the Bronkhorstspruit domestic worker who was allegedly raped and sexually assaulted by Willem Kroukamp, her employer's son, last week.

The 45-year-old Kroukamp, who is accused of raping the domestic worker and forcing her to perform sexual acts with dogs, appeared in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate's Court where he abandoned his bail application, citing issues of his own safety.

The incident allegedly took place at Kroukamp's parents' home in Raimar Park.

He is facing 10 charges including rape, malicious damage to property, kidnapping and sexual assault.

Ndileka, who also recently joined #MeToo global social media campaign and revealed that she was raped by her partner, said the 41-year-old woman needed all the support she can get. The global campaign encourages victims to disclose abuse.

"I'm here to support the victim. As you know, last week I came out after being raped by my partner," said Ndileka.

She said she could see that justice was taking its course in the case as the accused will not be roaming the streets.

She said it was saddening that 24 years into democracy, there were still pockets of racism towards women. "Nobody deserves to be raped, and rape is not a stigma," she said.

Ndileka said she was happy that the state has prepared 10 charges against Kroukamp.

"My advice to every rape victim is, please, find someone to talk to, and report to the police because being raped is not our fault," Ndileka said.

Yesterday, it emerged that two of the nine dogs that were allegedly used in the sexual assault of the woman were removed by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The society's regional spokesman in Tshwane, Inspector Andrew Kekana, said: "We received a warrant from the police to remove, specifically two dogs, to a place of safety until further investigations are completed.

"We were told that those two dogs were involved in bestiality with a female person."

The lawyer of Kroukamp, Ehlekatani Maluleke, tried unsuccessfully to prevent pictures of her client from being taken in court.

"If he gets photographed, the pictures will affect his life even after the matter has been finalised," she said.

But Magistrate Ignatius du Preez allowed the media to take pictures, saying the community in the gallery already knew the accused.

Du Preez postponed the case to February pending DNA
results.