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A 35-year-old security guard employed by Fidelity, contracted to the Department of Justice and previously assigned to the Sebokeng Magistrates’ Court, has been charged with rape.
The accusation involves the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl on the premises of the court.
The National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana stated that in August, the accused, who is alleged to have misrepresented his age as 22, initiated contact with the victim via Facebook and began communicating with her.
“During their communication, the two allegedly arranged to meet in person at the Sebokeng Magistrates’ Court at 18h00 on Saturday, 5 September, while the accused was working a night shift.
“It is alleged that when the victim arrived at the court, the accused let her onto the premises and took her to the children’s waiting room. He allegedly gave her alcohol, which she consumed while he also drank alcohol.
“When the victim became sleepy, the accused allegedly asked to have sexual intercourse with her. After she refused, he allegedly raped her,” she remarked.
According to Mahanjana, around 04h00 the next morning, the accused is said to have provided the victim with money intended for her journey home. Instead of returning to her mother’s house, the victim opted to go to her father’s residence.
She added, “After the victim failed to return home on the evening of 5 September, her mother reported her missing. She subsequently established that the victim was at her father’s residence. A Children’s Court enquiry was thereafter instituted to determine the child’s living arrangements.
Security guard nabbed
“On 26 October, during an interview with a social worker as part of the Children’s Court enquiry, the victim disclosed what had allegedly happened at the court on 5 September.
“The social worker informed the victim’s parents of the disclosure, and the matter was subsequently reported to the police.”
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Mahanjana revealed that after conducting police investigations, the suspect was apprehended on Tuesday, 27 October at the Vereeniging Magistrates’ Court, where he was stationed at the time.
The matter was postponed to Friday, 6 November for a bail application. The State has expressed its intention to oppose the release of the accused on bail.
