Byline: Thendo Funyufunyu
Thursday, 15 June 2023
Mandla Thomas Sibia (39) who is allegedly accused of raping minor children from his art centre called “Siyanqoba Art Centre”, appeared again at Secunda Magistrate’s court on Tuesday, 12 June 2023 for his trial after he was denied bail on 01 March 2023.
The accused was previously released on bail twice last year in November on the charges of crimes which occurred in the year 2018.
However, after his release on bail, he was thereafter arrested again in February 2023 for another count of rape, which allegedly occurred in 2013 and when the Investigation officer (IO) sergeant Nicole Nkosi provided the information before the court about a test that was done to allegedly prove that the accused committed the crime.
The accused is currently facing four charges of rape and appearing at Secunda Magistrate’s court.
The case was postponed to 23 June 2023 because his legal representative did not show up in court, and the Magistrate stated that it is Sibia’s duty to make sure his lawyer always shows up in court.
