20 Oct 2022

 The state is expected to call six witnesses to prove its case against defilement accused Bongani Bafentse of Lodubeng ward in Kanye.

The 37-year-old man is accused of having slept with the then 16-year-old Form Three pupil in Kanye on February 16, 2021 and subsequently impregnated her.

It is reported that the two were related and staying in the same yard at the time of the incident, but they had since been separated to allow for investigations on the case.

The prosecutor, Sub-inspector Mabutho Mabutho of Sejelo Police Station, on Thursday told Kanye magistrate, Ms Ditebogo Ntuli that investigations into the matter were complete and they were only awaiting a report from the social welfare office for the case to proceed to trial.

He said they would serve the accused person with witness statements, including the medical report.

The accused person, who is out on bail, told the court that he would engage the services of an attorney in his defence.

The case is schedule for mention on January 30, 2023 to confirm June 15, 2023 as trial date. ENDS