Incest accused denied bail

Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday November 13, 2014 12:08

 

The fact of the matter is that the accused allegedly had continuous intercourse with his own daughter while he was fully aware that the victim is his own child.

The offence reportedly happened between October 2013 and November 14, 2014.

Prosecuting officer police Sub Inspector Mokganedi Gaofetoge told court that investigations are still ongoing and that a DNA test will be conducted as blood samples have already been drawn from both the accused and the victim to ascertain identity.

He further told court that the victim is a student at one of the local junior schools and currently staying with the accused in the same compound.

When making an application for the accused to be further remanded in custody, Gaofetoge said the police together with other stakeholders are currently looking for a suitable shelter for the victim.

He said their fear is that the accused might continue with his acts on the victim if he is released.

“The victim was mentally disturbed by the ordeal when her grandmother reported the case to the police and even threatened to abscond from school in fear of her father.

“It is on these grounds that I apply that the accused be remanded in custody,” said Gaofetoge.

The accused complained to the magistrate that he has been in police custody for about eight days now, against the law, hence he was concerned about how long he will further remain in custody.

The accused pleaded with the court to grant him bail on the grounds that the allegations against him are false.

He told the magistrate that he (accused) stays with the victim and his mother in the same compound.

He said when he was arrested he was told that he was charged with incest and that the victim was three months pregnant.

“I was later on upon enquiry informed by a CID officer that the victim is not pregnant hence I requested that blood samples be drawn from both of us,” he said.

The magistrate wondered at the urgency of applying for remand in custody when this was not the case when the accused was arrested.

She advised the prosecutor to follow the proper procedure and avail the facts so that the accused can also be part of the discussion.

The magistrate ordered that the accused be remanded and that the prosecutor avail the investigating officer to court tomorrow.

Meanwhile Tebogo Mphao, 27, of Serumola ward in Mathathane also appeared before magistrate Alice Rammapudi on a single count of concealing birth.

The court heard that Mphao allegedly gave birth between April 22 and April 25 this year and allegedly dumped the newborn baby in a river behind Badale Secondary School in the village.

The accused pleaded guilty to the offence and said she would not engage an attorney due to lack of funds.

November 14 was set for another mention date, as the prosecution was not ready with the facts of the case.