Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
23 February 2026
19-year-old male appeared before the Evander Magistrate’s court on Thursday, 19 February 2026, for his formal bail hearing, facing a charge of rape, wherein the complainant is 14 years old.
The defence read his affidavit before the court, in which the accused alleged that he and the complainant are in a romantic relationship, that he knew her to be 17 years old, and that the complainant gave consent.
The state opposed his release on bail, and the mother of the complainant filed an affidavit where she stated she fears for her daughter’s safety as they stay in the same residential complex, and the accused knows the school her daughter is enrolled.
According to the police report, it is alleged that the complainant was from the school when she met the accused, who escorted her to her place of residence.
When she said her goodbyes, she entered the house and closed the door, but the accused followed her and opened the door, where he allegedly pushed her towards her father’s bedroom, where he raped her.
The matter has been postponed to Wednesday, 25 February 2026, for bail judgment.
