Wynberg, Cape Town - ANC MP Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane is a free man now that the State has withdrawn rape charges against him in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
The court heard yesterday that the director of public prosecutions had decided against prosecuting Kholwane after examining the case docket.
Kholwane was charged with rape after a 26-year-old woman alleged he forced himself on her in December last year.
The State alleged further that Kholwane, 39, chairman of the National Assembly’s communications oversight committee, took the woman to his 14th Avenue home in Grassy Park and raped her.
Kholwane was later freed on R500 bail.
From the start of the case he maintained that the sex between him and the woman was consensual and that they were in a relationship at the time.
The court heard in April that “the preliminary DNA report tested positive”, referring to specimens which were taken from the woman that had matched Kholwane.
Kholwane’s lawyer, William Booth, said the docket was sent to the director of public prosecutions because he was an MP.
After court, Booth, speaking on behalf of his client, said Kholwane was “absolutely thrilled” that the case was over.
“We were of the opinion that there was no reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution. My client was in London and came (to Cape Town) especially for his court appearance.
“His name has been splashed across the press and now his name has been cleared. This case was really made out of malicious intent,” Booth said.
Cape Argus