Lawyer for man accused of raping, impregnating young girl tries to discredit investigator's testimony

JOHANNESBURG - The defence lawyer for a man accused of raping and impregnating an 11-year-old girl has attempted to poke holes in the testimony of the officer investigating the case.
 
Frik van Rensburg posed several questions to the investigating officer, who submitted that the accused Ugandan man could be a flight risk.
 
The man is alleged to have raped the minor in December last year.
 
Is the denial of an alleged rape equivalent to lying about the offence?
 
This was one of the questions that the Boksburg Magistrates Court grappled with as the man accused of raping an 11-year-old girl continued his quest for bail.
 
Investigating officer, Simon Modise, took the stand and was met with a barrage of questions from the man’s defence lawyer, Van Rensburg, who questioned Modise about the child’s initial denial that she’d had sex when questioned by her mother.

Van Rensburg: "You, in your own words, testified now that she denied it. The mother then told the child: 'Tell me the truth', after which it was admitted. That’s your testimony."

Modise: "Your worship?"

Van Rensburg: "Sir, I asked you if that's your testimony. Yes or no? It's easy."

Modise: "Yes."

Van Rensburg: "Thank you."

During the last appearance, Modise, through an affidavit, testified that the mother noticed the change in the child’s body in April this year, forcing the truth out of the minor.

The matter has been postponed to 3 June for continuation of cross-examination.