Fed-up with rapists

Thabazimbi – The community made their voice heard. Strange enough, at the same time, the accused, 20-year-old Stoffel Phole lost his voice – to such an extent that the bail hearing was postponed to 3 December. 

Phole, who stands accused of raping a woman who was eight months pregnant at the time, as well as a 58-year-old woman, appeared before the Thabazimbi Magistrates’ Court on Friday 19 November for his formal bail application.

In his statement as to why he should be let out on bail, the accused stated that “the community would be fine with it” if he was released.

However, the court was packed with members of the community demanding that bail should be denied. The hearing was attended by the Thabazimbi SAVF, various Community Policing Forums and members of the Democratic Alliance armed with protest signs to voice their frustration. 

“We don’t want you in our community, we don’t want you to get bail, you must stay and rot in jail. We are thinking of our children’s future,” community member Lebogang Medupe said.

The accused’s attorney stated that his client was not feeling well and that due to a headache his speech was impaired, so he would not be able to answer any of judge Makule Asnath Kgosana’s questions. The bail application was postponed to 3 December.

 

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