DG faces rape charges

Barely a month into his new job, the Eastern Cape's number one civil servant has been charged in connection with the alleged rape of a woman in East London.

Dr Loyiso Mbabane, director-general in Premier Phumulo Masualle's office, spent his fourth night in a police cell after appearing in the East London Magistrate's Court yesterday .

The 24-year-old complainant, who cannot be identified, is known to Mbabane. His bail application was postponed to today.

Although he is yet to plead, The Times has chosen to identify Mbabane on the grounds that he is a public figure.

He started on January 6 after the contract of his predecessor, Mbulelo Sogoni, ended.

Nomfanelo Kota, Masualle's spokesman, said he had not been officially informed of Mbabane's arrest.