Durban — It was hoped that by the time a 24-year-old man alleged to have attacked and raped a woman again appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court in September, a bed would have been booked for him at Fort Napier Hospital.
During his previous appearance, a mental assessment report from RK Khan Hospital confirmed that the accused was not fit to stand trial and the matter was adjourned for paperwork to be prepared to have him admitted to Fort Napier for psychiatric assessment.
He is alleged to have attacked the woman, known to him, by stabbing her in both hands and raping her.
It is alleged that last year the victim was in her home when she was attacked by the accused. He is alleged to have placed his hand on her neck and pushed her to the floor and then ripped off her clothes with a knife and raped her. It is alleged that the accused placed his hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming.
The accused was arrested after the alleged victim pointed him out to police after he had been apprehended by the community for allegedly breaking into the home of another woman and trying to rape her.
On Thursday, the State said it had not yet received an admission date from the hospital, asking for a further adjournment of two weeks to await a date for the accused to be brought to the hospital.
Magistrate Gwendolyn Robinson adjourned the case to September 5.
“We should have a bed booked for you by then so that you can go to Fort Napier for a psychological assessment.”
In October last year the accused made his first appearance in court, with the State indicating it would be opposing bail. It also said he was required to provide an alternative address should he be granted bail.
The following month when the accused appeared in court the State did not oppose his application and he was granted bail of R3 000.
His bail conditions were that he relocate to the alternative address and not enter the area of Zwelibomvu until the matter was finalised.
He had previously indicated to the court that he intended to plead guilty to the charges, which were rape and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
In April the matter was adjourned more than twice in the absence of the accused, with the case being adjourned each time for him to be traced by the investigating officer.
In May he appeared in court where the case was adjourned for further investigation as DNA and further witness statements were outstanding.
In June a warrant of arrest was issued for the accused, who was not in court. Two weeks later he arrived at court, which saw the warrant, which had not yet been executed, subsequently cancelled.
It was then that the accused’s lawyer said that a mental assessment may be necessary for his client.
Daily News