‘Dros Rapist’ remains in jail
‘WESKOPPIES BED IS NOT YET AVAILABLE’ Bipolar disorder does not mean one is incapable of standing trial – expert.
With tears streaming down his face and constantly sniffling while in the dock, the man dubbed the “Dros Rapist” will remain in custody until January, instead of a psychiatric hospital as he had hoped.
The 20-yearold Pretoria man walked into court hiding his face with a hoodie.
Appearing for the fourth time before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, the accused was supposed to be referred to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital for evaluation.
Facing charges of rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possession of drugs, he was allegedly caught naked in a toilet cubicle at Silverton Dros in Pretoria in September after he allegedly attacked a seven-year-old girl.
While his lawyer, Riaan du Plessis, told the court earlier this month his client was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder which led to suicide attempts, he was to be referred for psychiatric evaluation yesterday.
Legal expert and gender-based violence researcher Lisa Vetten said the evaluation would aim to determine two factors – whether the man is competent to stand trial and to understand his bipolar disorder. “It is to determine if he understands the charges he is facing, and can he tell the difference between right and wrong.”
Vetten said bipolar disorder does not mean one is incapable of standing trial. “Bipolar is controllable. The question we need to look at is: was he taking his medication and if he wasn’t, can he be excused from responsibility.”
Despite state prosecutor Sanet Jacobson arranging for a bed for the accused at the hospital, it appeared he was still on the waiting list until next year.
“Unfortunately, the Weskoppies bed is not yet available,” Jacobson said. “The dates arranged for the Weskoppies bed is January 15, 2019.”
Wiping the tears while shaking in emotion, the accused stood bowing his head after taking off his hoodie to face the magistrate.
Magistrate Ignatius du Preez remanded the matter until January 15. But should a bed be available sooner than the proposed date, the accused would have to return to court, he said.
“The possibility exists that [the case] might appear before court prior to the arranged date of January 15,” Du Preez said. “Reason is if the bed is available prior to the 15th, there is a need to refer the accused to Weskoppies and he needs to reappear to physically be referred. If a bed is available earlier, it would be a futile exercise to keep the bed empty until January.
Date arranged for Weskoppies bed is January 15.