Rape accused pass lie-detector
2003-09-15 08:42
Sonja Carstens and Borrie la Grange
Pretoria - All four men accused of raping a matric pupil have successfully passed lie-detector tests.
Rapport newspaper has identified two as grandsons of former foreign affairs minister Pik Botha.
Deon Cloete, the legal representative of the two grandsons, says although the results are not permissible evidence, "we hope this will improve their chances as coming across as trustworthy witnesses".
In the meantime, the legal team of the 18-year-old pupil of a top Pretoria school says she will have to undergo many years of counselling to come to grips with the alleged happenings in the room of the residence, Huis Maroela, at the University of Pretoria.
The pupil was taken on Sunday to Dr Irma Labuschagne, a forensic criminologist, for counselling by her legal team, Heidi Barnard and Johan Engelbrecht SC.
Barnard says Sunday newspaper reports, in which her suspected rapists gave their side of the story, was kept away from the girl to prevent her from becoming even more traumatised.
Wanted 'independent evidence'
The two grandsons - a former Maroela resident, aged 20 and a final-year B Com student aged 22 - underwent the polygraph tests arranged by Cloete for all four suspects at Brooklyn police cells on Sunday.
Llewelyn Curlewis, the legal representative of a sports science student aged 20, who is also facing a rape charge, agreed his client could take the test. The 19-year-old fourth suspect also took the test.
Cloete said he wanted to use "independent evidence" to counter allegations that his clients had raped and indecently assaulted the girl.
"The girl's allegations in the media forced us to defend our clients in the public eye because of their high profile."
Engelbrecht said he was going to refer the Sunday newspaper reports to the Pretoria Bar Council with a view to further steps being taken against Cloete.
It's against the ethical rules of advocates to comment on pending cases. Barnard said she was surprised the accused men's defence had been made known.
Three suspended from residence and university
"It's not in the interest of justice to pre-empt a court case. I refuse to discuss the merits of the case. The court has to make that decision," she said.
The four men are due to appear in court to apply for bail on Monday. Cloete says his two clients are "positive and up-beat"
Edwin Smith, of the University of Pretoria, says three suspects will remain suspended from both Huis Maroela and the university while court proceedings are underway.
"They contravened university rules and the disciplinary investigation will continue.
"This investigation will include examining the behaviour of the residence's head, Professor Chris Jacobs, and the residence committee.