Strandfontein crime-fighters are rallying to show their support for a 13-year-old rape victim at the suspect, subcouncil manager Raphael Martin’s next court appearance.
Tempers flared at Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court on Monday when the well-known City of Cape Town official and former Umkhonto we Sizwe freedom fighter appeared on rape charges with community activists expressing disgust.
The girl claims Martin, a family friend, had been abusing her for the past three years.
The case was postponed to 29 June for a bail information hearing.
SUSPECT: Sub-council manager Raphael Martin
Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Sandy Schuter says residents want to protest, but due to the lockdown regulations they had to come up with an alternative.
“There are restrictions on social gatherings, but as the community feels so strongly we decided to do a wall of support.
“We have come up with a plan that people can make posters and drop it off at the fruit stall on the corner of Church and Spine roads on Saturday morning where they can air their views about the bail application and we will erect it around the court building on Monday to raise awareness about the community’s sentiments.
She says the case has rocked the community and they have called on residents to show their support for the victim and her family during the trial.
PICKET: Sandy Shuter
“So they can come down to the stalletjie between 9am to 1pm where we will also have an awareness drive around sexual abuse.
“This is a step to show the victim that we may not know who you are, but we stand with you.”