Activists welcome lesbian teen rape suspect dropping bail bid

A 32-year-old man accused of raping and brutally assaulting a Potchefstroom teenage lesbian has abandoned his bail application.

Alfred “General” Mabea is accused of attacking the young woman, Mbali*, who was a 17-year-old minor at the time, in 2016.

He is alleged to have assaulted her so severely that she was left unconscious and had to be admitted into ICU for a number of days.

Mabea went on the run after the attack and was only arrested on 20 June near Johannesburg. He is also accused of raping his own 20-year-old sister in 2016.

Last week, Mabea appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court where he agreed to drop his application for bail, a move welcomed by LGBTIQ groups monitoring the case. The still traumatised victim was terrified at the possibility that her alleged attacker would be allowed back into the community.

In another development, the matter was moved to the Potchefstroom Regional Court due to the severity of the charges. It may also be further escalated to the High Court.

“If ever the bail was granted, it would definitely not be supported by the LGBTIQ community, its allies and partners,” said Thabiso Mogapi, Director of Action for Social Justice International (ASJI). He thanked those who turned out to support the victim and picket outside of the court, including members of the Greenfield community and the North West Provincial DA.

“We are happy that the case is going to the Regional Court. That shows the commitment and seriousness of the justice system to deal with this case,” commented Lerato Phalakatshela, from OUT LGBT Well-being and manager of the the Love Not Hate campaign.

“We are also very impressed with the level of support from LGBTIQ activists, allies and friends. We hope to see this support throughout the case,” he added.

Following another court appearance on Monday at the Potchefstroom Regional Court, the case is set to resume on the 3rd of September, pending a possible move to the High Court.

The area has been the site of a number of attacks against the LGBTIQ community over the past three years, including the murders of 16-year-old school pupil, Lesley Makousa, and 35-year-old LGBTI music student, Bobby Motlatla (still unsolved). There was also the rape of a 22-year-old woman and the rape and stabbing a 26-year-old lesbian.

*Mbali is not the real name of the victim.