Case against man accused of raping fiancee postponed

A PORT Elizabeth man accused of kidnapping and raping his fiancee last year will return to court next month after the state closed its case against him yesterday.

The man, 28, who cannot be named as this might identify the victim, appeared in the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court.

Besides kidnapping and rape, he also faces charges of theft and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The woman, 25, alleged that the man had kidnapped her on two consecutive days, raping her on both occasions.

He is accused of kidnapping her on May 30 near Baakens Valley in Port Elizabeth and then driving to Thornhill and raping her.

He also allegedly threatened her with a knife and robbed her of her possessions.

The state alleges further that the man kidnapped her from Walmer the following day and took her to a remote area near Victoria Drive, where he allegedly raped her again.

During this incident he also allegedly stole her cellphone.

He also faces a charge of intimidation as the state alleges he contacted the woman on multiple occasions in June and threatened to hurt her if she did not withdraw the case against him.

The man pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The woman testified in court yesterday.

In considering an application by the state for the media to cover proceedings, the presiding magistrate, Lionel Lindoor, asked the woman for consent, which she declined to give.

Her testimony was heard in-camera and the state subsequently concluded its case.

The case will return to court on October 3 in the Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court as Lindoor will be based there on the proposed date.