�I had Permission To Sleep With Her�

Lebogang Baingapi | Monday April 18, 2016 17:02

 

Making his final submission before Magistrate Basetsana Keakantse last week, the accused innocently and bare-facedly asked the court to acquit him, claiming their relationship had the mother’s blessing and they were in good terms with the family.

“I take care of the girl’s wellbeing in terms of paying school fees, school report collection and other necessities. The mother just felt ashamed because of external pressures and reported me to the police,” he said.

He told the court that he had a mutual relationship with the girl’s family and they respected him because he often helped out with family upkeep.

The man said he was surprised that the girl continued to visit him at the cattle post even though he was once punished by the customary court.

He said the girl’s mother often phoned him to check the couple’s well-being and inform him that if anyone ask about their relationship, he should direct the questions to her (mother).

“When the mother officially handed her daughter into this relationship and asked her if she wanted to get married, she answered in the affirmative. I treated her as my own because I was permitted by her elders to date her,” he added.

He also claimed that, after reporting him, the mother wanted to withdraw the case, but the police officers refused to entertain that request. The prosecution, led by Inspector Kumbani Machaya felt they had proven their case against the accused and prayed that he be convicted as charged.

Machaya said their testimonies against the accused remained unshakable as he failed to counter evidence submitted by the state witnesses.

He said the accused was economic with the truth when he said he was permitted to date the girl because he failed to direct that statement to the girl’s mother during trial.

He also noted that the accused was warned of his relationship with the minor at Khakhea customary court, but he ignored it.

Judgement was reserved for June 15, 2016.