Retarded girl 'gave consent'

2008-07-17 20:03

Grahamstown - A 15-year-old retarded Grahamstown girl recounted on Thursday how her next-door neighbour used his crutches to push her onto his bed before raping her.

She told the Grahamstown Magistrate's Court the man threatened to cut her throat if she told anyone about what he had done.

Appearing before Regional Court Magistrate Sampson Dunwja was Mzwanale Bishini 25, of Ethembeni, Grahamstown.

He pleaded not guilty to raping the girl at his parent's house on February 8 last year.

Members of the Child and Family Violence Protection Unit arrested Bishini shortly after the alleged incident. He remains in custody.

Bishini admitted he had had sexual intercourse with the girl but claimed it was with her consent.

'Cut my throat'

Clinical psychologist Pumza Sakasa told the court the girl was moderately mentally retarded from infancy and had the mental capacity of a five-year-old child.

Giving her evidence with the assistance of a social worker acting as an intermediary, the witness said she knew the accused because he was her next-door neighbour.

"On that day he asked me to bring him some bread, because his leg was in a plaster cast and he could only walk with crutches.

"When I took the bread to his room he stood up and pushed me onto his bed with his crutches. He then took my clothes off and put his hand over my mouth and said he would cut my throat if I told anyone. He then raped me."

She said she shouted for my mother afterwards.

"She (mother) came into the room and said to Bishini: What are you doing to my child?"

The mother asked neighbours to call the police.

The trial continues.

- SAPA