Disappointment as Dros rape case is postponed
The decision to postpone the rape case against Nicholas Ninow was met with disappointment in the Pretoria Regional Court on Wednesday.
Ninow, who is accused of raping a 7-year-old girl in the bathroom of the Dros restaurant in Silverton, made his fourth court appearance.
Court proceedings were attended by various political parties and social justice organisations and postponed to January 15 due to a shortage of beds at the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital.
Ninow faces various charges, including rape, possession of drugs, assault with intent to do bodily harm and intimidation.
The accused, wearing a grey and black sweater, attempted to cover his face from the media but was seen shedding a few tears, as Magistrate Ignatius Du Preez explained the reasons why the case had been postponed.
Ninow could be back in court at an earlier date, depending on the availability of beds at Weskoppies.
The secretary-general of gender rights group #NotInMyName, Themba Masango, says the organization is disappointed at yet another postponement.
“This claim of him being crazy is absolutely outrageous. That is a slap in the face for people who suffer from bipolar. Not every bipolar person goes around raping people,” he told the media outside court.
Listen below:
Well-known pastor, Paseka Mboro, also came out in support of the young victim.
Mboro said a prayer outside the courtroom – asking that any further delays in the case be avoided.
Watch below:
#DrosRapist Pastor Mboro does a short prayer for this case. pic.twitter.com/ZsV6tfBASp
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) November 28, 2018