Man remanded in custody for allegedly raping minor

By Delisa Magagula

A man who admitted to having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl has been remanded in custody pending further court proceedings.

Mkhululi Vilakati appeared before Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi on Monday morning, charged with engaging in a sexual act with a minor.

Initially, Vilakati pleaded guilty to the charge, telling the court that he was unaware of the girl’s age at the time of the incident.

According to the court record, Vilakati claimed the offence occurred during the school holidays, and he assumed the complainant was above the legal age of consent.

He further told the court that upon later learning that the girl was 15 years old, he went to apologise to her family.

However, during the proceedings, Vilakati altered his plea. While his initial admission formed part of the court’s record, his change of plea meant the matter could not proceed to sentencing immediately.