The grandparents of a seven-year-old who was allegedly raped by his stepfather have allowed the man to stay at their home.
|||Durban - The grandparents of a seven-year-old boy who was allegedly raped by his stepfather have agreed to allow the man to stay at their home while he is out on bail.
The man’s father-in-law, who is a priest, promised the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court he would make sure that while the man was under his roof, he would have no contact with the boy or his mother.
The 32-year-old accused, who broke down in the dock, was granted bail of R3 000 on Wednesday.
The State had initially opposed bail, but after consultations with the investigating officer, concluded that there was no valid reason to deny the man bail.
Supported by his wife and his in-laws at court, the man bowed his head and cried.
He was arrested last month after his wife, who is a teacher, had returned home early from a meeting and caught him allegedly performing oral sex on her son in the master bedroom.
The man fled after his wife screamed at him. He was arrested later.
In terms of his bail conditions, the man, who is self-employed, may not have any contact with his stepson or his wife.
He must surrender his passport and report to the Town Hill police station twice a week.
The man would live with his in-laws at their home in a different suburb.
His father-in-law testified in support of the bail application, telling magistrate Phumelani Bhengu that the family were firmly behind the man’s release on bail.
He said his daughter had been married to the accused for 16 months and he had known the man for two years.
He said he and his wife had discussed the implications of having the accused live with them, but they were prepared to abide by the bail conditions.
“We are a family that make good decisions. I will personally undertake to ensure that this case is not jeopardised and that the man has no contact with my daughter or my grandson,” the father-in-law said.
He said his daughter was happy that his wife and he were prepared to accommodate her husband in their home.
In his affidavit in support of his bail application, the man confirmed that he and his wife have a five-month-old daughter together, and that the seven-year-old boy is his stepson.
He said he was not a violent person.
He added he has lived in Pietermaritzburg for three years and that, if he is kept in custody, his wife and children would suffer financially.
The case was adjourned to Tuesday, when the man is expected to plead guilty.
Daily News