Lebowakgomo – A Limpopo doctor accused of raping a teenager at the Lebowakgomo Hospital was released on R1000 bail on Wednesday after police told the court the delay in the complainant reporting the rape to authorities had weakened the State’s case.
Warrant Officer Bahakubu Ntsoane, who was the detective on the case, told the Thabamoopo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that the 17-year-old victim had waited too long to report the case to police.
“The strength of the case is not so strong because the case was opened 72 hours later,” said Ntsoane.
The doctor, who cannot be named until he pleads, was arrested last week after the victim complained she was raped by the accused when she visited the hospital to consult him about an undisclosed sickness.
Through his legal representative, the doctor said he would plead not guilty as the case against him was weak. He claimed he knew nothing about the alleged rape.
The case was postponed to July 29 for further investigation.
In the meantime, Mabusela would remain on suspension pending the outcome of the court case.
Last week, Limpopo MEC for Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, said: “The doctor is therefore suspended from work on a precautionary basis with full pay in line with the provisions of the Disciplinary Code and Procedure for the Public Service (Resolution 1 of 2003 of the PSCBC) pending the investigation into allegations of misconduct.”
She added: “While we are strongly against any form of abuse against women and children including rape, we believe that any accused person is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.”
African News Agency