Mahlabathini community pickets against bail for suspected serial rapist

Mahlabathini‚ near Ulundi‚ was brought to a standstill on Tuesday when hundreds of community members - supported by the department of community safety and liaison - picketed peacefully across the street of the magistrate's court‚ opposing bail for a suspected serial rapist.

“Armed with placards‚ the community marched across the streets and outside the Mahlabathini Magistrate’s Court‚ opposing bail for the suspect.

“The protest march also sought to highlight the general issues of crime in the area‚” a statement by the department said.

“During the court proceedings today‚ the suspect abandoned his bail application and he was remanded in custody – a decision that was largely welcomed by the public."

The matter was postponed to October 12 for further investigation.

This comes after the suspect‚ who cannot be named until he pleads‚ was recently arrested after community members‚ volunteers from the department and the Ulundi community police forum “worked in unison to track the suspect and handed over information to the police”.

On Tuesday‚ KwaZulu-Natal MEC for transport‚ community safety and liaison Willies Mchunu said the suspect belonged in custody and the long arm of the law should take its course.

“We welcome the decision of the suspect to abandon his bail application because we‚ as the department‚ are of the view that he should remain in custody for his alleged crimes.

“As a department‚ we are also delighted that that the community came out in such huge numbers - backed up by the department and government to picket and oppose bail.

"The sexual assault of women remains a great concern to us‚ as government‚” said Mchunu.

The MEC‚ who backed up the peaceful protest‚ has again called on the people of KwaZulu-Natal‚ to heed to the pronouncement made by him for communities to organise themselves and oppose bail for suspects.

“We need to register our strong protest and anger by demanding that rape suspects should not be given bail‚” said Mchunu.

RDM News Wire.