Verulam family welcomes 'small' court victory
The family of the 10-year-old Verulam girl who was raped - allegedly by her stepfather - says they are relieved the man will stay locked up.
The 43-year-old man was denied bail on Friday in the Durban Magistrates Court.
The child's aunt says it's a small victory for her niece.
"We are ecstatic that we got justice, we just have to wait for the main trial."
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.
He 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 also 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.