Alleged �serial rapist� gets bail

Lebogang Mosikare | Wednesday May 25, 2016 16:59

 

The alleged rapist Thatayaone Nka dubbed Forest Evil because he rapes most of his victims in the bush after giving them a lift in his car, was granted bail by Principal Magistrate Kaveri Kapeko.

Kapeko granted Nka his ‘freedom’ despite pleas from prosecutor Chimbisani Sechele who argued that Nka had allegedly committed some of his rape offences whilst on bail, thus violating a cardinal rule of his bail conditions.

In court this week, Nka breathed a sigh of relief after the magistrate acceded to his request for bail. He had earlier on told Kapeko that his child and business were suffering because of his incarceration.

He said that he was just a suspect in the matters as he had not been found guilty of any of the seven offences by any court.

During his previous mention in court, Nka pleaded with the court to grant him bail saying he feared for his life in jail, as some prisoners wanted to rape him.

Nka appeared in court for another rape case and trial dates in the matter will be set for next week.

Previously Nka said: “I have been in jail for almost a month, but nothing has changed in this matter. My girlfriend and child are now threatened with eviction where we are renting. My child is sick and I am also sick.”

“I am wondering why I am denied bail because I have been fully cooperating with the police.”

He added: “I am already serving punishment and I am tired of fights in prison. I have never failed to appear in court and I pray with the court to grant me cash bail”.

Asked by Basupi how many rapes he was alleged to have committed, Nka replied: “I have been charged with six counts of rape. I have been denied bail for the mere reason that the substantive prosecutor in the matter said that investigations were still continuing”.

Previously, prosecutor Kelebonye Matsapa said it was dangerous to release Nka on bail because he allegedly kept on raping more victims when released.

“The accused was previously granted bail on condition that he does not commit similar offences. Although our investigations are still at their initial stages, we strongly believe that Nka is the main suspect who had sex with the complainant without her consent on March 9. My colleagues have similar cases against the accused that are before our courts here,” said Matsapa then.

Then, prosecutor Mothusi Meshack from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concurred with Matsapa.

Meshack said he is handling some cases that the accused allegedly committed while his colleagues at the DPP are also handling others.

Added Meshack: “We fear that releasing the accused on bail while he allegedly continues to violate his conditions will be a travesty of justice. Although the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty we humbly pray with the court to remand the accused in jail because he may prey on more women once he is granted bail.”