adminJohannesburg – The 24-year-old grandson of the late former president Nelson Mandela was back in court yesterday morning on a rape charge.
The man appeared briefly in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court where he stood accused of allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in the bathroom of a pub in Greenside, Johannesburg in August.
The accused, who bore a remarkable resemblance to his grandfather, took to the stand looking calm in a blue checked shirt and a black blazer.
The State asked for the matter to be postponed for further investigation because of an outstanding statement from a witness, although they said that they did have enough evidence to proceed with the case.
According to the State, the complainant has not been assessed yet due to the fact that she has been busy writing exams.
Magistrate Hasina Habib said she was concerned that the matter was taking so long and that there still was no trial date. She felt that the constant adjournments were not in the interest of justice, and said the witness had to be assessed in the next month.
The trial is due to start on March 9, 2016, with the accused to remain out on bail until then.
The man last appeared at the end of August when he was granted bail. Back then he requested that he be treated as a normal citizen and not as a Mandela. – Sapa
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo