Piketberg man recently arrested for raping a woman 7 years ago must stay behind bars – local farmworkers organisation

CAPE TOWN - The Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation wants a 40-year-old man who was arrested recently and charged with a rape that took place in Piketberg seven years ago to remain behind bars.

The organisation also heaped praise on police for making sure DNA samples were taken from the woman following the incident in September 2017.

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Director of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation, Billy Claasen, said the woman did not know who raped her as she was heavily intoxicated at the time.

Claasen said four years later, in April 2021, a DNA sample was taken from the same accused at Piketberg police station for a case of assault. The results from the DNA test then linked the accused to the rape incident, resulting in his recent arrest and appearance in court.

"We will petition the state for no bail for the accused person. For almost seven years he walked around freely knowing that he had done something horrible to a woman. He must stay in custody and answer in a court of law for his deed," Claasen said.

The National Prosecuting Authority said the accused would appear in court again on 16 April.