Judge decides ‘rapist’ must answer

THE man accused of raping a six-year-old girl in his home in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth, two years ago took the stand in the Port Elizabeth High Court yesterday.

Xolile Tose, 33, of KwaNoxolo, has pleaded not guilty.

The state closed its case yesterday and defence Advocate Peet Schoonraad brought an application for discharge. But Judge Jeremy Pickering found Tose had a case to answer and he was called to the witness stand.

Tose told the court he was living with a relative in Motherwell’s NU12 on December 16 2011, the day the girl – now eight – was raped.

He said he had seen the victim earlier in the day, before he attended a party in the neighbourhood. He left that party and went to an umgidi (traditional ceremony) in Avenue 11.

“I only left this house on Sunday but before I got to the taxi rank, I was approached by an unknown group of people who said they did not need me there because I have raped and they threatened that I will be killed. I left Motherwell for KwaNoxolo where my grandmother lives,” Tose said.

The state alleges that Tose lured the girl away from her friends while they were playing in the street with a promise to buy her chips. He allegedly took her to a house, put her down on a mattress and held a knife to her throat, threatening to kill her if she told anyone. She was then raped repeatedly for 15 hours and sent home the next day.

The victim sustained injuries so severe she has to wear a colostomy bag.

The trial continues.