Cape Town - A man accused of raping and impregnating a 15-year old girl has been released on bail.
William “Thembi Rasta” Lewis, a community leader in Overcome Heights, Lavender Hill, admitted in court on Wednesday that he had been in a relationship with the teen.
The 50-year-old suspect was released on R3 000 bail by the Muizenberg Magistrates’ Court.
He was arrested last Monday after the girl’s mother found out she was seven months pregnant.
The teen has been put in a place of safety.
Now her mom fears her three younger siblings won’t be safe from the suspect.
The mother, who can’t be named to protect her minor daughter, said she wanted to have her 11, nine and three-year-old children also put in a place of safety, rather than live in the same area as Lewis.
“I would never want to give my children away but the way I feel now I would rather have the social worker take my children. My daughter is also stressed out, she could go into labour at any time.”
The woman again denied claims by residents that she accepted money from Lewis “in exchange” for sex with the teen.
She admitted that Lewis used to help her out financially in the past when she asked for help.
Meanwhile, Lewis was all smiles as he left the court with his eldest daughter.
His lawyer, Mzukile Gebuza, said in an affidavit his client had no previous convictions or arrests.
Gebuza was asked for clarify on his client’s “guilty/not guilty plea”.
“He concedes he was in a relationship with her and knows it was wrong,” Gebuza said.
Lewis added he had four dependents who are “lost without him”.
Although Lewis faces a schedule six offence, the State did not oppose bail.
The matter was postponed to October 25 for further investigation.
Daily Voice