Man accused of raping prostitute denied bail

AN EAST London man who allegedly raped a prostitute last week near Eastern Beach was denied bail in the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The 29-year-old man appeared before bail magistrate Nazeem Joemath, denying raping the 26-year-old woman.

The man, who cannot be identified as he has not yet pleaded, told the court he was an orphan and made a living as a wood chopper for people who run the braai business at Ebuhlanti.

He lives in a shelter located in the bushes of the popular hangout spot.

He said on the afternoon of July 4 he had approached the sex worker for her services as he had normally done on three occasions.

He said the woman had charged him R50 for sex in the park near the East London cemetery in Buffalo Park.

“When we were done having sex she demanded an extra R20. I refused to give her more and she started insulting me and I insulted her back.

“She then said she would report me to the police for raping her and robbing her of R580,” said the man.

State prosecutor Thulani Solani quizzed him: “If you have had sex with her on three occasions, what was so special about this day that she wanted an extra R20?”

The man responded saying the complainant had thought he had extra cash on hand.

The investigating officer of the case Warrant Officer Rudi van Dyk of the Family Violence, Child Protection Unit and Sexual Offences Unit told the court after the incident the sex worker had gone to the Sonke Gender Justice where she was counselled by a social worker.

He said she was then taken to hospital and seen by a doctor who confirmed she was raped.

Handing down judgment magistrate Joemath said that “the address that he lives in a toilet cannot be accepted by this court”. The man was remanded in custody and the case was postponed to August 14 for further investigation. —