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Man in court for murder, rape
10/12/2007 18:41 - (SA)
Grahamstown - A 42-year-old man appeared in the Grahamstown High Court on Monday on charges of killing a man and then raping the victim's wife.
Vuyisile Balani, 42, of Port Alfred, pleaded guilty on both counts before Judge Cecil Somyalo.
The murdered man was 47, and his wife is 42.
The State alleges that the couple was walking home in the local township, on the evening of April 5 this year, when they were accosted by Balani.
According to the indictment, Balani told the man he was going to have sex with his wife, and he should watch.
The State contends that in the "ensuing altercation, in which the husband tried to intervene to protect his wife, he was allegedly stabbed twice in the chest".
His body was discovered the following day in the nearby bush.
Balani also entered an oral plea explanation through his lawyer, Deon Geldenhuys.
"The accused will deny he committed both offences, but will admit that on the night in question, he had consensual sexual intercourse with the complainant, at his home. This is in accordance with my instructions," said Geldenhuys.
State advocate Sharon Hendricks called the complainant as her first witness, and asked her to tell the court what happened that evening.
The woman said she was walking home with her husband when Balani came up behind them.
"He told my husband he must come and see him (Balani) have sexual intercourse with rubbish like me. My husband tried to help and save me, but Balani was hitting in his chest with his fist. I did not see the knife.
"I did not see my husband alive again."
She testified that Balani raped her after dragging her into nearby bushes. He then ran away.
A passing police vehicle came to her assistance.
The trial continues.
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