Rape suspect accused of trying to bribe teen victim’s family

A SENIOR Bhisho social development official accused of raping a teenage girl has also been accused of trying to bribe her family to make the case go away.

The official allegedly raped the young woman, 19, on January 21 after giving her a lift from Ndindwa village, about 40km outside King William’s Town.

He handed himself over to police last month and is due in court later this month.

He has not yet pleaded and hence cannot yet be named, but is out on R1 500 bail.

In a new development, the victim’s sister produced a recording in which the family is offered money to withdraw the case. She claims the man in the recording is the accused.

The clip, which was played to the Dispatch, does not make mention of the amount offered but the teen’s sister claims it was R10 000.

In the recording, a man admits to having sex with the 19year-old.

“Normally when someone has impregnated someone, he pays R5 000 for damages, but we are not talking about impregnating someone here.

“We are talking about one instance I slept with your sister, so why don’t we do the same thing, then we withdraw the case from court, because, let me talk of an extreme [case]: what happens if your sister is pregnant of me [sic]?

“I might be sentenced to life imprisonment or whatever number of years, then I won’t be able to support my child because I’m in prison.

“So, I was suggesting that you withdraw the case and

ndibhatale umdliwo [I pay for damages]?”

The sister asks umdliwo for what?

The man replies: “Umdliwo of your sister accusing me of raping her and I am denying that.

“Trying to prove who is right between us won’t help us because this has happened.”

But the sister says the law will have to take its course.

“The matter is not in our hands and we are also not willing to settle anything, for I believe the police are looking for you, so you should probably avail yourself.

“Thanks for your offer but we won’t be taking it. Justice must be served,” she says.

The man would not comment when asked about the recording yesterday.

“I did not rape anyone. We both knew what we were doing. It was consensual.”

He said he would not comment any further as the matter was in court.

KWT police spokeswoman Captain Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed the accused had handed himself over to the police on January 28.

He appeared on the same day in the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court.

“He was remanded in custody for bail application.”

On January 31 he was granted bail to appear again on February 27. —