Bail drama: Rape accused abandons bail!

A LIMPOPO man (28) accused of statutory rape after he allegedly impregnated a 13-year-old girl abandons his bail.

The suspect appeared in the Seshego Magistrates Court in Seshego outside Polokwane, Limpopo, on Wednesday, 8 January facing charges of statuary rape and sexual grooming of a minor.

However, the charge of sexual grooming was withdrawn by the state, and the case will now proceed on the statutory rape charge.

His case has been postponed to Monday, 3 March, for further investigation, and he remains in custody.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Limpopo spokeswoman Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said they had dropped charges of sexual grooming against the suspect.

"The charge has been withdrawn because there isn't sufficient evidence to support a charge of sexual grooming. So, we are left with the charge of statutory rape.

"We are going to wait for the applicant to see if he is going to make the bail application. But for now, he has abandoned his bail application," she said.

The suspect was arrested on Thursday, 26 December, after a minor gave birth to a baby boy on Christmas Day, Wednesday, 25 December, at Seshego Hospital.

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The girl was the youngest among 31 teenagers reported to have given birth on Christmas Day in Limpopo.

Reports indicate that the victim and the suspect met at a shopping complex in Seshego in January and began communicating until they became intimate in May.

The girl only disclosed the incident to her aunt after experiencing complications.

In November, medical tests confirmed she was eight months pregnant, which led to her giving birth on Christmas Day.

Scores of residents, including members of the African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) in Limpopo, filled the court while others picketed outside, calling for the denial of bail.

Limpopo ANCWL Provincial Chairwoman Mamedupi Teffo reaffirmed the league's commitment to protecting the rights of kids.

She emphasised that they have a responsibility to ensure kids's rights are upheld.

"Engaging in sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 16 constitutes statutory rape, which is a serious criminal offence punishable by law. So, we will continue to advocate for justice and the safety of our children," she said.