Magistrate concerned about delays in Mandela rape case

The magistrate set to preside over the rape trial of Nelson Mandela’s grandson has expressed concern about the delays in setting a date for the trial.

The Mandela family member‚ who may by law not be identified until he has pleaded to the charges‚ is charged with rape‚ sexual assault and attempted rape and appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

He allegedly assaulted a 15-year-old girl at a Greenside restaurant in Johannesburg in August this year.

In his bail application‚ the man said he had consensual sex with the girl and that he believed at the time that she was older than 16.

Magistrate Hasina Habib on Monday asked the state to be ready to commence with the trial next year.

This after the state asked for a postponement to obtain one more witness statement.

But Habib said she was concerned by what appeared to be the state dragging its feet in finalising the matter.

“This matter was set for August‚ but it only made it to me in December and no trial date has been set. The unnecessary adjournment is not conducive to the administration of justice‚” Habib said.

Defence lawyer Melvin Neale said they were ready to proceed with trail.

Habib postponed the matter to March 9 next year‚ much to the dismay of the complainant’s family.

A family member of the girl‚ who may by law also not be identified‚ said outside court that the family had hoped the matter could have been dealt with before the new year.