Durban — The Pinetown Magistrate’s Court is expected to hand down judgment in a week’s time against a man charged with the alleged rape of a blind neighbour.
In January last year, Petros M Mokoena, 49, was allegedly caught in the act by his victim’s sons who found him topless in their mother’s bed. He is alleged to have offered R1 000 to the sons before managing to flee, leaving behind some of his belongings.
The State’s evidence was that Mokoena left behind a backpack, sandals and a golf shirt. The State alleges that on the day of the alleged rape the victim had been asleep inside her house and a son was outside doing the washing. It had been around 6am.
The accused, who was a family friend, entered the home and went into the woman’s bedroom. During the trial, the victim had said she recognised the voice of the accused.
The court heard how the woman’s son, after finishing the washing, walked into the house to hear the sounds of a struggle.
When the woman’s son entered her room he found Mokoena allegedly raping his mother.
“The complainant’s son began assaulting the accused. He also called out to his brother, who was asleep in the house. The two assaulted the accused who managed to escape,” alleges the State.
It is further alleged that the accused who had been topless when escaping the victim’s house came across a member of the community while fleeing who asked him what the matter was. He replied that the victim’s children had mugged him and taken his clothes.
Mokoena alleged that he did not rape the victim but they had consensual sex, adding that when they were finished the victim’s sons walked in on them and assaulted him.
The victim’s one son had testified that while sleeping in the dining room he was woken by his brother who told him that the accused was raping their mother in her room.
He said that in the bedroom the accused had allegedly said that “he was sorry it was a mistake”.
He told the court that his mother was crying on the bed and she said that the accused had raped her and had pressed his weight on her chest to prevent her from screaming.
The son alleged that the accused had offered R1 000 to be let go, adding that the accused, who managed to escape the house after a struggle, ran out screaming that the woman’s sons had wanted to rob him.
Mokoena’s matter was last week adjourned to June 27 for judgment.
Daily News