Bredasdorp - Anene Booysen's alleged rapist and killer fell and hurt himself, the Bredasdorp Magistrate's Court heard on Tuesday.
Prosecutor Maria Marshall said Jonathan Davids, 22, had marks on his left arm and neck when he was arrested on Saturday evening, February 2.
Davids, who was on the stand testifying in his bail application,said he got the marks when he fell that morning.
Booysen was found gang-raped and disembowelled at a nearby construction site in the early hours of that morning.
Before she died in hospital, Marshall said the teenager told hospital staff that “Zwaai” and six other men were responsible for her injuries. Davids' nickname was “Zwaai”.
He earlier told the court that he knew of another “Zwaai”, who lived in Zwelitsha.
“I heard he's a gangster, a 28 (gang member),” Davids said. He could not say if Booysen had known this man.
Davids and his co-accused Johannes Kana, 21, are accused of the crimes, which fall under Schedule Six and which require them to prove there are “exceptional circumstances” why they should be granted bail.
Kana's bail application is to be heard at a later stage.
Marshall warned Davids that, should he be released on bail, the police would not be able to guarantee his safety.
In a petition, the community had made it clear they would not tolerate anyone guilty of the crimes living in the vicinity.
“If you're granted bail, are you not worried about your safety?... They could hurt you,” asked Marshall.
Davids shook his head and said: “Hulle mag nie (They are not allowed to).”
He later conceded that his life could be at risk.
Marshall asked why he should be let free.
“Because I'm innocent,” he replied. - Sapa