Anti-gender-based violence activists have welcomed the decision by a 58-year-old Dobsonville man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl to abandon his bail application.
The accused made a brief appearance in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where his legal representative confirmed that they would not proceed with a bail application at this stage.
Activists described the move as a positive development, albeit a temporary one. Demonstrators gathered outside the court in significant numbers, voicing strong opposition to any possibility of the accused being released.
A representative from the Tshegofatso Pule Foundation, Botlhale Modisane, said the group was encouraged by the decision, noting that they had been calling for the bail application to be withdrawn entirely. She suggested the move may indicate concern on the part of the accused for his own safety.
Community members who assembled outside the court said the development brought a sense of relief, amid heightened tensions over the case.
The victim’s grandfather said that the family was disturbed by the accused’s conduct in court, alleging that he showed no remorse. He added that not pursuing bail may be in the best interest of all parties, given the anger within the community.
Authorities have relocated the young victim and her mother to another province due to safety concerns.
The case has been postponed to 20 May for further investigation.