A doctor in Nelson Mandela Bay, who is employed in a government hospital, appeared in the Kariega Magistrate’s Court on Monday accused of luring a 17-year-old girl to his house and raping her.
The Herald reports that members of the community who had gathered in protest outside the court claimed the girl was not his first victim.
The group of Bayland informal settlement residents, led by community activist Tamsanqa Nkevu, had marched to the KwaDwesi police station where they handed over a petition demanding an investigation into further allegations of child prostitution and human trafficking of girls aged 13 to 16 in and around Nelson Mandela Bay, Qonce and East London.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli confirmed that a 58-year-old man had appeared in court on a charge of rape, and had been remanded into custody, with the case postponed to Wednesday for a formal bail application.
The teenage complainant’s mother said her daughter was allegedly recruited by another girl in the neighbourhood, and that she had been part of a group with a new “friend” – an older man “who had money to buy them booze”.
She had been shocked when she discovered her daughter had planned to leave for Qonce with another local woman, but was told they were running away from the accused. Her daughter had initially denied she had been raped.
The aunt of another teenager said she had learnt from her 15-year-old niece on Monday that she was also part of the group that had allegedly met up with the accused.
According to the aunt, her niece was similarly lured by a group in January to “a friend” who would buy alcohol for them.
Residents said it was believed a mother and her daughters were involved in recruiting the girls.
KwaDwesi Police Station Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Sinethemba Madikizela said the petition would be handed to the district commissioner, Major-General Vuyisile Ncata.
The Herald article – Bay doctor accused of raping teenager (Restricted access)
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