Suspected child molester�s sanity questioned

Pini Bothoko | Thursday June 29, 2017 16:25

 

The man appeared before Extension II magistrate, Ntombizodwa Ncube yesterday to answer to disturbing allegations that involve the father ripping his daughter’s diaper off when she was just five-months-old and indecently touching her.

Inspector Peter Simisani said the state was still waiting for the suspect’s report from Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital and would not continue the matter without it.

“The case depends on this report and therefore we cannot continue with the matter. I am pleading for another mention to set for this case,” Simisani said.

The prosecution first applied for the suspect to be sent to Sbrana for testing when he first appeared in court on March 24, 2017.  The father eventually underwent testing at Sbrana on May 11 and the results are pending.

Simisani told the court that initially, the prosecution had been promised the results would be out within six months.

“The date has elapsed. We followed up the report from the hospital, but we were told that they were not yet ready.  We depend on them and cannot continue with the case at this point,” he said.

In response, the accused complained that the case had been dragging on without progress. “I am worried that this case seems to be taking a longer period of time without progress.  I have been coming here several times, but there is no progression.  I always come here and I’m told the same thing. I do not know where I stand. When will they receive the report since the six weeks has elapsed,” he said.

However, the magistrate interrupted the suspect and told him that having been charged with indecent assault involving unlawfully toughing a child’s private parts, he should allow the prosecution to compile its arguments.

The man will continue to stay on remand until his next mention on July 12.