‘Rape’ victim takes stand in court

KNYSNA NEWS - An alleged rape victim took the stand in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court in a trial against four youths, yesterday 26 February.

The victim, who was 15 when the alleged crime took place, was reportedly lured into a house in White Location, Knysna and repeatedly raped by all four males on 10 February last year.

The suspects, who abandoned bail and have therefore been in custody since their arrest, were all minors at the time.

Due to the sexual nature of the trial and their ages, they cannot be named. Two of the accused have since turned 18.

Members of the ANC Women’s League, who have come out in support of the victim and her family since the first court appearance a year ago, were present once again.

Following several court postponements and the case even being referred to Thembalethu Magistrate’s Court in George and back to Knysna again, the victim finally took the stand to detail her version of the events.

Members of the public were not allowed in the court. The girl was accompanied by her father during her testimony.

The suspects are facing charges of kidnap, attempted murder and rape.

Tempers flared in the waiting area when an unknown man alleged that the boys did not commit the crime and therefore will be released, and he was confronted by an emotional mother of the victim who scolded him “for talking about things he doesn’t know”.