Qacha’s Nek, Apr. 10 — A 19-year-old man facing rape charges told the court he intended to marry a 14-year-old girl, but has been denied bail by the Qacha’s Nek Magistrate Court.
Senior Resident Magistrate Ts’eliso Bale ruled that Khotso Koneshe of Linakeng, Ha Rapase, should remain in custody and advised that he be assisted through legal aid as the matter proceeds.
Koneshe is charged under the Sexual Offences Act No. 3 of 2003 for allegedly raping the girl on December 18, 2025 at Ha Rapase.
During his bail application, Koneshe told the court that before he left after the incident, he informed his father that he had slept with a girl, but was told by the girl’s grandmother that she was a minor.
He said his father then advised him “to go to work and prepare for marriage arrangements in winter.” He further stated that he later reported himself to police while going to certify his late father’s death certificate, only to learn that he was already wanted.
Senior Crown Counsel Bokang Lebona opposed bail, arguing that the accused had fled to Matatiele after the alleged offence and remained there until his father’s death. He submitted that this conduct amounted to absconding and demonstrated a lack of cooperation with law enforcement.
Advocate Lebona further told the court that the accused does not dispute the allegations, stating that “he cannot marry a minor,” and that his explanation amounts to an admission of the offence involving a child.
Koneshe was remanded in custody and will return to court on 21 April 2026 for a set-down hearing, where he will be represented by Legal Aid advocates Itumeleng Lentsoe and Motebo Ntabe.
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