Latest news with #AtteridgevilleMagistrate'sCourt
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- The Citizen
No bail for Saulsville man accused of raping landlord's daughter
A 55-year-old foreign national accused of raping a 12-year-old in Saulsville, Pretoria, in March has been denied bail by the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court. The accused appeared in court on July 16, facing three counts of rape. The case was postponed to July 23 for regional court allocation. National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said the accused was charged with allegedly raping his landlord's 12-year-old daughter. 'On June 25, in the evening, while the complainant was on the phone in the house, her mother asked her who she was talking to, and when she could not respond, the mother requested to go through her phone,' Mahanjana said. 'While going through the phone, she saw inappropriate conversations between the accused and the victim. 'The mother confronted the accused in his back room, where he denied the allegations and requested that they take the child to Kalafong Hospital for examination. 'While at the hospital during examination, one of the nurses called the police, and the accused was arrested on the scene, ' said Mahanjana. It is alleged that the accused raped the victim on three occasions. Mahanjana continued, 'During his appearance, via his legal representatives, the suspect alleged that he should be granted bail due to weak evidence being presented by the state, among other considerations. 'During the bail hearing, the accused asked to be released on bail, claiming that the state's case was weak and citing his responsibilities to support his wife and six children. 'He further stated that, as a self-employed individual, detention would hinder his income and ability to afford legal fees.' State Prosecutor Katlego Manana opposed bail, arguing the severity of the charges and the high prevalence of such offences in the court's jurisdiction. Manana also highlighted the risk of the accused interfering with the investigation due to the accused's familiarity with the victim and her mother, and noted his lack of immovable property in South Africa, increasing the likelihood of him evading trial. In the end, the magistrate found that the accused did not produce any proof that the accused is self-employed and that no evidence shows that he stays with his family. She also said that in his bail application, the accused only listed his responsibilities and no substantial circumstances. Moreover the magistrate said that if the accused suffers financially while in custody, and cannot afford a legal representative, he can apply for Legal Aid. Therefore, bail was denied. The NPA commended the vigilance of the victim's mother, whose swift action led to the accused's arrest, and the hospital staff who moved quickly to get the police involved. Acting director of public prosecutions Advocate Marika Jansen van Vuuren praised Prosecutor Katlego Manana. 'The denial of bail sends a clear message: The NPA will vigorously oppose release for those accused of heinous GBV crimes, prioritising the safety of victims and communities.' The NPA's partnership with Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) ensures critical psychosocial support for the victim, reflecting its victim-centric approach. Families and communities are urged to remain vigilant, report suspected abuse promptly, and support survivors through TCCs, which offer medical, psychological, and legal assistance. 'This case highlights the critical role of parents in recognising signs of abuse and acting decisively. 'The NPA calls on South Africans to unite against GBV, fostering safe environments where children's constitutional rights to dignity and safety are upheld, and perpetrators face the full might of the law,' Mahanjana concluded. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- The Citizen
Zimbabwean man accused of raping landlord's daughter denied bail
The magistrate flagged weaknesses in the bail application, citing lack of proof of self-employment and unclear family residence. The Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court has denied bail to a 55-year-old Zimbabwean national charged with three counts of raping his landlord's 12-year-old daughter in March. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the decision. 'The NPA's firm opposition to bail underscores its unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and protecting vulnerable children,' said Lumka Mahanjana, NPA Regional Spokesperson for Gauteng Division, Pretoria. The allegations The accused, who had been a tenant at the victim's Saulsville residence for 12 years, allegedly lured the child to his back room on three separate occasions in March. According to the charges, he raped her and gave her money ranging from R24 to R50 to buy a Kota after each incident. Mahanjana said the case came to light on 25 June 2025 when the victim's mother discovered suspicious phone conversations. While the complainant was on the phone that evening, her mother asked who she was speaking to, and when she could not respond, requested to examine her phone. 'While going through the phone, she saw conversations where the accused was asking the complainant when will she be going on her periods,' Mahanjana explained. Man arrested after victim's examination The mother immediately confronted the accused in his back room. The accused denied the allegations and suggested that they take the child to Kalafong Hospital for examination. During the medical examination at the hospital, a nurse contacted police, leading to the accused's arrest at the scene. ALSO READ: More than 2 600 wanted criminals linked to violent crimes arrested in South Africa Bail hearing arguments During the bail proceedings, the accused's legal representative argued for his release. He claimed that the state's case was weak, emphasising his responsibilities to support his wife and six children. 'He further stated that, as a self-employed individual, detention would hinder his income and ability to afford legal fees,' according to court records. State Prosecutor Katlego Manana opposed the bail application, focusing on the severity of the charges and the high prevalence of such offences in the court's jurisdiction. Manana emphasised the risk of the accused interfering with the investigation due to his familiarity with both the victim and her mother. The prosecutor also noted the accused's lack of immovable property in South Africa, which increased the likelihood of his evading trial. ALSO READ: 'Fishing expedition': NPA criticised for trying to reopen Omotoso rape trial Weaknesses in Zimbabwean national's bail application The presiding magistrate identified several weaknesses in the bail application. She noted that the accused failed to provide proof of his claimed self-employment status and presented no evidence showing whether his family resides in South Africa or Zimbabwe. 'She further said that in his bail application, the accused only listed his responsibilities and no substantial circumstances,' Mahanjana reported. 'Moreover, the magistrate said if the accused suffers financially while in custody and cannot afford a legal representative, he can apply for Legal Aid. 'Therefore, bail was denied.' ALSO READ: Withdrawn GBV cases allow 'perpetrators to evade justice', hears portfolio committee NPA response The NPA commended both the victim's mother for her vigilance and the hospital staff who facilitated police involvement. Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren praised Prosecutor Katlego Manana's work on the case. 'The denial of bail sends a clear message: the NPA will vigorously oppose release for those accused of heinous GBV crimes, prioritising the safety of victims and communities,' Van Vuuren stated. Call for community action The NPA emphasised the importance of community alertness in protecting children from abuse. 'The NPA urges families and communities to remain vigilant, report suspected abuse promptly, and support survivors through Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), which offer medical, psychological, and legal assistance,' Mahanjana said. She stated the broader implications of the case, noting that 'this case highlights the critical role of parents in recognising signs of abuse and acting decisively.' The prosecution authority called on South Africans to unite against gender-based violence, working to create safe environments where children's constitutional rights to dignity and safety are upheld, and perpetrators face the full might of the law. The case has been postponed to 23 July 2025 for allocation to the regional court. READ NEXT: Free State father sentenced to life for daughter's rape
IOL News
17-07-2025
- IOL News
Pretoria court denies bail to Zimbabwean man accused of raping landlord's minor daughter
The 55-year-old Zimbabwean man allegedly called the 12-year-old girl into his backroom on three separate occasions, raped her, and gave her money ranging from R24 to R50 to buy kotas. Image: File The Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court in Pretoria has denied bail to a 55-year-old Zimbabwean national based in Saulsville, who was charged with three counts of raping his landlord's 12-year-old daughter. The horrific rape incidents allegedly happened in March. 'The NPA's firm opposition to bail underscores its unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and protecting vulnerable children,' said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana. The name of the alleged rapist has been withheld to protect the identity of the minor victim. Mahanjana explained that the accused man had been a tenant at the girl's family home in Saulsville for 12 years as of March. He allegedly called the 12-year-old girl to his back room in the yard on three separate occasions, raped her, and gave her money ranging from R24 to R50 to buy kotas. 'On 25 June 2025, in the evening, while the complainant (the young girl) was on the phone in the house, her mother asked her who she was talking to, and when she could not respond, the mother requested to go through her phone. While going through the phone, she saw conversations where the accused (tenant) was asking the complainant when she will be going on her periods,' said Mahanjana. The mother confronted the tenant in his back room, where he denied the allegations and requested that they take the child to Kalafong Hospital in Tshwane for examination. While at the hospital during examination, one of the nurses called the police, and the accused was arrested on the scene. 'During the bail hearing, the accused, through his legal representative, asked to be released on bail, claiming that the state's case was weak and citing his responsibilities to support his wife and six children. He further stated that, as a self-employed individual, detention would hinder his income and ability to afford legal fees,' said Mahanjana. However, state prosecutor Katlego Manana opposed bail, arguing the severity of the charges and the high prevalence of such offences in the court's jurisdiction. Manana highlighted the risk of the Zimbabwean man interfering with the investigation, due to his familiarity with the victim and her mother. The prosecution also noted the accused man's lack of immovable property in South Africa, increasing the likelihood of him evading trial. The magistrate said the Zimbabwean man did not produce any proof that he is self-employed and that there is no evidence that shows whether he stays with his family in the country or has left them in Zimbabwe. The magistrate added that in his bail application, the accused man only listed his responsibilities and no substantial circumstances. Moreover, the magistrate said if the accused suffers financially while in custody and cannot afford a legal representative, he can apply for Legal Aid. Therefore, bail was denied. Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority in Gauteng has welcomed the court's decision, commending the vigilance of the victim's mother, whose swift action led to the tenant's arrest. The NPA also saluted the vigilant staff at Kalafong Hospital who facilitated police involvement. Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren has also commended prosecutor Manana for the fight against the accused man's bail bid. 'The denial of bail sends a clear message: the NPA will vigorously oppose release for those accused of heinous GBV crimes, prioritising the safety of victims and communities,' she said. The NPA urges families and communities to remain vigilant, report suspected abuse promptly, and support survivors through Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), which offer medical, psychological, and legal assistance. The NPA has called on South Africans to unite against gender-based violence, fostering safe environments where children's constitutional rights to dignity and safety are upheld, and perpetrators face the full might of the law. The case against the Zimbabwean man was postponed to 23 July for regional court allocation. Last year, IOL reported that a 32-year-old Olievenhoutbosch father was found guilty of the rape and attempted murder of his 11-month-old daughter, as well as defeating the ends of justice in the High Court in Pretoria. At the time, the NPA said the father and the mother of the baby were in a love relationship, and on the evening of April 30, 2023, the couple was at their place of residence when a neighbour came and asked the mother to come and help her cook. The neighbour who asked for help was hosting an overnight ceremony. The child's mother then departed with the neighbour, leaving the baby under the guardianship of her father. 'The following day, in the early hours of the morning, while the mother was still assisting the neighbour, she saw her partner on the streets. When she asked about the whereabouts of the baby, he told her that he had left the baby sleeping,' Mahanjana said at the time. [email protected] IOL News
IOL News
02-07-2025
- IOL News
Case of Tshwane workers linked to R7 million transformer theft postponed
The case of three City of Tshwane municipal workers, who appeared at the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, has been postponed to Friday for a bail application. The accused were arrested this week by the SAPS, who linked them to a transformer theft case from last year as part of an ongoing investigation. Image: Supplied The case of the three City of Tshwane municipal workers arrested on Tuesday for allegedly stealing a transformer worth around R7 million at the Laudium electricity substation has been postponed to Friday for a formal bail application. The suspects appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court on Wednesday after being arrested by the SAPS as part of an ongoing investigation linking them to the theft of a transformer last year. The trio, Sphiwe Mahlangu, 45, Thomas Baloyi, 41, and Daniel Kubayi, 50, appeared in court on charges of theft of essential infrastructure and will remain in custody pending their next court appearance. The SAPS in Gauteng reported that the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation launched in November 2024, which initially led to the arrest of 11 suspects. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Of these, 10 subcontractors were released due to a lack of evidence, while one municipal worker remains in custody and is set to appear in court on August 8, 2025. The Gauteng Organised Crime Unit's investigation led to the arrest of three municipal employees, according to police. They also said transformer theft is not a new issue in the metro, and while this case involves a large sum specific to Tshwane, smaller transformer thefts have been reported elsewhere. Police expect more arrests as investigations continue. Tshwane district Commissioner, Major General Samuel Thine, said police are making progress because theft of essential infrastructure cripples the country's economy and affects households, leading to electricity shortages when the infrastructure is stolen and diverted. The city said the arrested individuals are employees linked to the incident, which significantly compromised the power infrastructure and security. Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the arrests are a crucial step towards accountability and deterrence, emphasising that residents deserve uninterrupted services and infrastructure protected from deliberate damage and sabotage.
