An Athlone man accused of raping a 13-year-old girl will remain behind bars after his bail application was denied at the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court.
Wazier “Koppe” Jumah, 39, looked kwaad after being told he had failed to prove exceptional circumstances for his release and will be sent back to Pollsmoor Prison for the duration of the trial.
Jumah, who has a previous conviction for raping a 15-year-old girl, was arrested on 26 July after he allegedly snatched the meisie, who was on her way home after visiting a friend, and held her hostage in his aunt’s council flat for several hours.
She was found wandering outside in the early hours of the following morning after her frantic family had launched a search.
Relatives say the girl, who was treated at Groote Schuur Hospital, had been drugged, her pubic hair shaved and body bitten, and had been repeatedly raped.
PROOF: Girl’s jeans torn in attack. Photo: Supplied
Jumah has since made five appearances in court, where it was heard that he is
currently out on bail
for a murder and assault case in Atlantis.
While reading out the bail judgement, Magistrate Goolam Bawa explained Jumah was facing a Schedule 6 offence and was required to prove exceptional circumstances why he should be released, but failed to do so.
Bawa said in Jumah’s affidavit, he had admitted there was a period when he was alone with the girl in the flat.
He did not account for what transpired during that time, but claimed she was not harmed.
“The court is satisfied that the State has established the serious nature of the crime,” said Bawa.
“The applicant, despite confirming the presence of the victim at his home on the day of the offence, remained silent on what they did when he was alone with her.
“The applicant was identified by the victim as her assailant. Having weighed the cumulative effect of the applicant’s case, the applicant has failed to prove exceptional circumstances for his release and bail is denied.”
The case was postponed to 28 November as the DNA reports and crime scene photos are outstanding.
As the family left the gallery, the girl’s ouma shouted to Bawa: “Thank you, sir.”
Outside court, the girl’s family hugged each other saying they were happy Jumah would remain behind bars and they could now focus on helping the child heal.
Nombeko Leputhing from Ilitha Labantu, who submitted a petition for bail to be denied, says of the judgement: “We are very happy and hope this sends out a strong message because our children are being raped and traumatised every day.”