
The Maluti Magistrate Court on Wednesday denied the bail application of a 45-year-old man,Makhosi Kutwana , who is accused of raping his 13-year-old daughter. Magistrate Sello Mokhotjo during the judgment cited that according to the investigating officer, there is no guarantee that the accused will avail him on the date set because his wife is a Lesotho national, therefore making him a flight risk. Among other reasons stated by the investigating officer is that the safety of the accused is not guaranteed as members of the community through petition have made it clear that they do want to see the perpetrator in their village and that the state of the child is still fragile.
The rape incident according to court papers started in November 2018 when the victim was just only ten years until December last year when the suspect was apprehended by the police at his workplace on Christmas Eve. Outside the Maluti Court, Inam Mntumtum who has been fighting tooth and nail for the man to be arrested after the girl’s rape ordeal was swept under the carpet by the community elders because of association to a church relative expressed relief after the judgment” I am excited, I cannot even express myself. I came out jumping out of Court when I heard that he did not get the bail. And hearing that he is facing life imprisonment makes me happy, he deserves it. Justice will be served for the affected girl.” Kutwana is expected to appear again before the Magistrate Court on February the 24th for a trial date.