Chef back in court

2003-08-04 18:07

Johannesburg - A Johannesburg pupil described in the city's high court how she and her cousin were raped by alleged serial rapist and chef Fanwell Khumalo in 2001.

Khumalo has pleaded not guilty to 132 charges relating to 42 victims. He claims mistaken identity, but many local primary and junior high school girls have identified him as their attacker.

Evidence by the girl before Judge Max Labe at Monday's resumption of the trial was that an attempt was later made by Khumalo to have anal sex with her.

The trial stood down for a few months as Labe was on long leave.

In terms of the court order, the media may not describe Khumalo, who is 41, or publish the ages, schools, grade, home suburb, religion or race of the victims.

Before the girl's testimony on Monday, Khumalo's legal representative, Mike Miller, informed the court that it might become necessary at some stage to send Khumalo for mental observation. He said Khumalo had previously sustained a head injury.

Primary school

Miller said, however, he would obtain a psychological report before bringing such an application.

The girl, the third-last of the 42 victims, said she was in primary school at the time of the attack in February 2001. Her testimony was made via closed circuit television from an adjacent room.

She said she and her cousin were on their way to buy chips when they were stopped on a street corner by a person claiming to be a policeman. He said he just wanted to ask them a few questions.

The man held their hands tightly and walked them to a deserted spot where he raped both.

Evidence by the witness was she was too frightened to run for help while her cousin was being raped.

On the way back, Khumalo was overcome by the urge again and tried anal sex with her, she said.

Prosecutor advocate Marile van Heerden was scheduled to lead evidence from the cousin on Tuesday.

- SAPA