Chef 'raped me under a bridge'

2003-03-11 17:00

Johannesburg - The schoolgirl did not raise her eyes from the floor and told the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday that she was scared of being in the same courtroom with chef Fanwell Khumalo who allegedly raped her.

The girl identified Khumalo as the man who allegedly raped her under a bridge on August 23, making her late for school.

Judge Max Labe gave her the option of testifying on another day in another room via a closed television circuit with the assistance of a facilitator.

The witness, who has since moved to another province with her family after consultation with her mother and Advocate Marile van Heerden, prosecuting, decided to testify in open court as long as the investigating officer Captain Peter Linda was allowed to sit next to her and made sure she did not see Khumalo's face.

She told the court that on the day of the rape, she left her house at 06:30 to catch the school bus.

She said she walked on after Khumalo stopped her for directions, but she returned when he threatened to shoot her.

The court heard that he raped her a short distance from the bus stop, under a bridge.

After the rape, the girl said, Khumalo walked her back to the bus stop and waited until she got on the bus.

She said she was late for school but was too afraid to tell her teachers why, because Khumalo had threatened to find her and kill her if she told anyone.

She told the court that she was also too afraid to tell her family, but her older sister saw blood on the bathroom floor and told her mother.

Khumalo is represented by advocate Mike Miller. Khumalo is in his third week of trial on 132 charges including, 43 of rape to which he pleaded not guilty.

Khumalo said on Tuesday that he was under stress and that his concentration was impaired.

Labe said Khumalo should advise the court if he reached the point where he was unable to continue with the trial.

The hearing continues.

- SAPA