The doctor, who is facing two counts of raping female patients in his consulting rooms, appeared in court for a bail application after having been accused of raping a 17-year-old patient last Monday afternoon. He has not been named because he has not yet pleaded.

He was arrested at his practise last week, and was scheduled to apply for bail on Tuesday. When he appeared in the dock he discovered that the National Prosecuting Authority had added a second rape charge to the docket – accusing him of having raped an 18-year-old woman during a medical consultation in 2012.

However, his legal team objected to the surprise additional charge and the hearing was shifted to today.

Angry mother

“I’m not feeling well because he will repeat what he did. I am very angry because of what happened to my child. I don’t know how she will feel when I tell her that the person who raped her is out on bail,” the angry mother said.

“My daughter will be preparing for her final year examinations. I don’t know how she is going to study after this outcome. I am angry and the whole of Sasekani community is angry.”

My daughter will be preparing for her final year examinations. I don’t know how she is going to study after this outcome. I am angry and the whole of Sasekani community is angry.

Moses Mahlangu, a relative of the accused, said he was happy with the bail decision and glad that his cousin was not free.

“Justice has been done and I’m happy about the outcome. Now we must focus on the way forward, because you cannot persecute  and find people guilty before the court has ruled,” said Mahlangu.

The accused was granted bail on condition that he will not apply for a passport or interfere with witnesses and immediate relatives of the victims – neither on social media nor through a third party.

The doctor will appear in the Nkowankowa Magistrate Court again on February 5, 2018. Police are continuing with investigations.