An Eastern Cape farmer accused of rape and human trafficking will have to wait to learn whether his renewed bail application has been successful.
The 41-year-old man brought a new bail application in the Graaff-Reinet magistrate’s court on Thursday last week.
The matter was postponed to Thursday, with the trial scheduled to be held in the Makhanda high court.
Eastern Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said the new bail application was based on “new facts”.
“It has been postponed to August 22 for judgment,” he said.
“The state has opposed the application.
“The main trial has been transferred to the Makhanda high court.”
The man, represented by Gqeberha attorney Danie Gouws, can only be identified once he pleads to the charges.
He faces five counts of human trafficking, five of rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, intimidation, and child labour.
The state claims the man targeted vulnerable women with promises of employment, only to hold them captive and subject them to repeated sexual assaults.
The new facts supporting his renewed bail application was not immediately known.
He was arrested in July 2023 and denied bail the following month due to the court deeming him a flight risk and that he would interfere with state witnesses.
The magistrate also determined an alleged propensity to commit serious offences.
HeraldLIVE
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