Bail for student who killed man allegedly trying to rape baby

Magistrate rules incident not premeditated, accused not a flight risk

A Walter Sisulu University student accused of killing a man she allegedly caught attempting to rape her one-year-old niece was granted R500 bail in the Zwelitsha magistrate’s court on Monday.

The 23-year-old was jubilant and hugged supporters as she left the courthouse.

The woman, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the child, on Thursday allegedly came across a naked man attempting to have intercourse with her niece at the family kraal in Qaga village outside King William’s Town.

She is then alleged to have picked up a rod and beaten the man.

Magistrate Eras Venter ruled the incident was not premeditated, and the student was not a flight risk or a danger to society.

He granted the woman R500 bail on condition that she did not interfere with the investigation process.

The student appeared relaxed throughout her brief appearance. Before court proceedings, she chatted to members of the ANC Women’s League and her friends, who encouraged her to stay strong.

The student’s mother told the Dispatch she was overwhelmed by the support of the public and from non-profit organisations like Sonke Gender Justice.

“I just want to thank all these organisations that were here today to support us as a family because after this happened to my children I didn’t know what to do or where to go for help. Thank you to the magistrate who released my baby on bail,” the mother said.

Petros Majola, programme director of the Khula Community Development Project, was delighted she had been granted bail, saying she did what anyone could have done to save their child.

“We are happy with the decision to grant her bail because this girl was only rescuing a child who was being raped. She didn’t have any intention to kill. That is why we are rejoicing today,” Majola said.

Majola said his organisation was planning to organise a mass gathering at Qaga to raise awareness about rape and gender-based violence.

“We are going to go to Qaga to educate the people there and empower them about this scourge.

“It is encouraging to see men from that community here to support this child,” said Majola.

Sonke Gender Justice provincial manager Patrick Godana said the accused was only protecting the fundamental right of a girl child and they hoped the court would understand this when the case resumed.

“We are really saddened by this. We know that abuse and rape is a national crisis. We came to support this young lady who was defending her own child,” said Godana.

The case was postponed to October 29 for further investigation.

Mass gathering planned at Qaga to raise awareness about rape and gender-based violence