Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo

29 August 2024

Nkosinathi Moses Ndlovu (35) was granted free bail by the Evander Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 28 August 2024.

Ndlovu appeared for a formal bail application on a charge of rape.

Community members from eMbalenhle, gate 6 Marikana, protested outside the court against his bail application.

According to the mother of the victim, she was in a relationship with the accused, and he used to visit her house anytime.

On the Saturday of the alleged rape, she was at work and knocked off late, then on Sunday the boyfriend made sure to be around till she left for work again.

On that same Sunday, she received a phone call from a neighbour, who said her daughter was not well.

The mother phoned the accused to check up on the children, and he said they were fine.

“On Monday, my daughter disclosed to one of my neighbours while I was at work about the rape incident, and she immediately took her to the police station.

I was surprised to see my neighbour coming to fetch me at my workplace.

She could not tell me what was happening until we got to the police station, where my daughter narrated the rape incident to the police.

A rape case was then opened,” said the mother, narrating how she found out about the incident.

Outside court, after hearing the verdict, the victim’s mother broke down in tears, saying the justice system has failed her and her daughter because, as it is, the daughter has been bleeding since the incident, and the doctors confirmed that she was indeed raped.

Furthermore, the mother told Seskhona Media that she no longer feels safe as she thinks Ndlovu will come after her and her children because, as he was kept in prison, he called her more than three times.

Some community members said Ndlovu is troublesome, especially when he is drunk he will target households with single mothers, knock at their doors and harass them, making nasty remarks to minor girls, saying they have well-built bodies.

After hearing Ndlovu on the witness stand, the court was satisfied that he proved there are indeed exceptional circumstances, and it is in the interest of justice that he is granted bail.

The court imposed two bail conditions: that Ndlovu should not enter eMbalenhle and not be in contact with the mother of the victim and the victim.

He is expected to appear before the Evander Magistrates Court on the 4th of October 2024 for further investigation.