Rape case against doctor weak – police

LEBOWAKGOMO: A Limpopo doctor accused of raping a teenager at the Lebowakgomo Hospital was released on R1 000 bail yesterday.

This comes after police told the court that the delay in the complainant reporting the rape to authorities had weakened the State’s case.

Warrant Officer Bahakubu Ntsoane, who was the detective on the case, told the Thabamoopo Magistrate’s Court the 17-year-old victim had waited too long to report the case to police.

“The case is not so strong because the case was opened 72 hours later,” said Ntsoane.

The doctor, who cannot be named until he pleads, was arrested last week after the victim’s complaint.

She said she was raped by the accused during a consultation for an undisclosed sickness.

Through his legal representative, the doctor said he would plead not guilty as the case against him was weak.

He claimed he knew nothing about the alleged rape.

The case was postponed to July 29 for further investigation.

In the meantime, the doctor would remain on suspension pending the outcome of the court case.

Last week, Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba confirmed knowledge of the case

“The doctor is ... suspended from work on a precautionary basis with full pay, in line with the provisions of the disciplinary code and procedure for the public service pending the investigation into allegations of misconduct.. While we are strongly against any form of abuse against women and children, including rape, we believe any accused person is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.”