Bail bid of husband accused of attempted murder and rape halted by heavy rains
The Mogwase Magistrate’s Court has postponed the case against 41-year-old Oupa Nkele to January 20 for bail application, after court recording devices could not capture proceedings on Wednesday due to heavy downpours.
“The postponement was effected due to heavy rain that made it impossible for court recording devices to capture proceedings,” said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
Nkele has been charged with attempted murder and rape.
“Preliminary police reports revealed that Nkele, who is currently separated from his wife, called and arranged for them to meet to discuss an urgent matter. As per the agreement, he collected the wife from her parental home on Wednesday afternoon, 29 December 2021,” said Mamothame.
Nkele then drove towards a local mall, but changed directions and headed to their house at Lerome village near Mogwase outside Rustenburg.
“An argument ensued after the pair arrived in Lerome, Nkele allegedly assaulted and strangled the wife with a rope, then poured petrol over her and eventually raped her. Subsequently, he allegedly forced the victim into his car and drove away with her but the victim managed to unlock the car and jumped out,” said Mamothame.
“According to the police report, the victim received assistance from a good Samaritan who took her to the police station where charges of attempted murder and rape were laid, leading to a swift arrest of Nkele on Thursday, December 30 2021.”
Nkele will remain in police custody until his next court appearance.
Eighty-two people have lost their lives due to drowning and being struck by lightning this summer as parts of South Africa continue to battle severe weather and flooding, the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) said on Tuesday.
“South Africa has, over the current summer season, received heavy torrential rains which affected most of the communities across the country. These rains continue to affect our communities negatively, with 82 fatalities reported to date notably driven by drowning and lightning incidents,” said departmental spokesperson Lungi Mtshali.
-IOL
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