Bail denied in Verulam child rape case
A 43-year-old man accused of raping his 10-year-old stepdaughter over a period of five years has been denied bail.
He appeared in the Verulam Magistrate's Court, north of Durban on Friday.
Magistrate Irfaan Khallil handed down his judgement, saying he disagreed with the accused's argument that the state had a weak case against him because the key witness is a child.
Khallil said the state had found after a four hour interview that the girl - who will turn 11-years-old soon - is competent enough to testify in the case.
Khallil believes the the man's release would also disturb public order, citing the pickets and petition against his release handed over to the court.
The magistrate feels the stepfather could also harm the girl if he found her. He made this remark by drawing on a previous assault charge involving his parents.
The case returns to court at the end of August.
The stepfather has indicated that he will plead not guilty to the charges against him, which include rape and sexual abuse.
He says the allegations against him are all lies.
Verulam residents became enraged last month after news of the attacks emerged.
Police say they little girl had told neighbours about the abuse, which lead to his arrest.
The man claims he was assaulted after being apprehended.