Cape Town – After two years of delays in an alleged
gang rape and kidnapping case, a Ceres
man known as “M” was finally able to
tell the courts about his ordeal as the
trial got under way this week.
The trial against Rodney Beukes, Austin Fritz and Peter John Adams – each
facing charges of kidnapping and rape,
dating back to 2017 – has been marred
by a number of delays, and again this
week was postponed to a later date for
further investigation and trial.
“M” was motivated to tell his story
to the courts in fear of becoming the
next homosexual murdered in Ceres,
following the death of his friend, David
Olyne.
Olyne was found tortured and murdered at a dam in Ceres in 2014. His
murderer, Christo Oncke, is serving 17
years for the hate crime.
The constant delays in “M’s” case has
sparked outrage among activist groups,
including the Triangle Project that
has closely supported “M” from Bella
Vista.
The accused have all pleaded not
guilty to all charges.
National Prosecuting Authority
regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila
said: “They applied for bail (previously)
while the matter was in the district court
and were denied bail.
“Their trial started on Monday,
continued (on Tuesday) and has
been postponed to October 8 for further
trial.”
Before the recent delay, according
to Triangle Project support services
manager Sharon Cox, “M” had testified
in camera about his second rape allegedly at the hands of the men affiliated
to a notorious gang, the Ford Boys, in
the area.
Cox said the case, which has been
postponed for about eight times,
has been traumatic for their client, but through continued support
and counselling, and preparing for
court, “M” was able to pace himself
through his testimony and cross-examination.
“He did an amazing job on the stand
and he was amazingly brave.”
She said “M” had lodged a special
application to testify in camera, as he
feared for his life and felt “extremely
fragile, vulnerable and intimidated”
after the incidents.
“He lives in the community
where the gang resides and this gang
has terrorised the community, especially the LGBTI community, for many
years.
“Delays and postponements have a
great impact on victims. A victim will emotionally, psychologically and physically prepare for trials
and when it does not commence on
the date set down, the victim has to go
through that all again.
“Delays can also often be seen as a
means to deter the victim in the hopes
that the victim will grow tired of the
emotional toll it takes and drop the
case.
“Very seldom do men come
forward to report rape, but we hope with
these cases, men will be more forthcoming to highlight this very serious
issue.
“The matter has been handled sensitively and this gives more hope to
victims.
“We also have the highest hope in
the investigating officer in this case,”
added Cox.