Nurse Accused of Hospital Rape Faces Bail Decision Amidst Strong Prosecution Argument
In an ongoing case at the Matatiele Magistrate Court in the Eastern Cape, a male nurse, Sibusiso Dywili, is seeking bail while facing accusations of raping a patient at the Matatiele Taylor Bequest Hospital. Constable Hlangu, the investigating officer, presented compelling reasons on Monday as to why Dywili should be denied bail, citing concerns over the accused’s trustworthiness and potential intimidation of the victim and witnesses.
Constable Hlangu emphasized the difficulty in effecting Dywili’s arrest and highlighted the public interest surrounding the case. He argued that Dywili could pose a risk to the community if granted bail, given his alleged actions and potential influence over patients. Hlangu urged the court to set a precedent by denying bail, discouraging others from committing similar acts.
In response, Dywili’s lawyer, Dlangamandla, made a case for bail, stressing that the accused has three young children, aged 8, 6, and 3, who depend on his support. Dlangamandla asserted that Dywili would not interfere with the investigation or intimidate witnesses. Additionally, he argued that the case did not generate public outcry, as only the accused’s relatives attended the court proceedings.
To support Dywili’s claim of supporting his children, Dlangamandla called a witness, Eunice Meva, Dywili’s sister. Meva confirmed that she acted as an intermediary between Dywili and the mothers of his children, stating that Dywili provided financial support to them when he received his salary.
However, during cross-examination, the prosecutor raised doubts about Dywili’s sincerity, pointing out that Meva did not know the children’s names or the names of their mothers. She was also unaware of the children’s schooling arrangements.
The prosecutor argued that due to the strength of the police case against Dywili, bail should not be granted. The prosecution emphasized the case’s public interest, which was evident by the full courtroom, a claim contested by the defense, which asserted that only the accused’s relatives were present.
The bail application has been postponed until October 12th for the magistrate to render a judgment.
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