Image: Gallo Images/Phill Magakoe
The trial of the man accused of raping a seven-year-old girl at a Pretoria restaurant last year enters its second day on Tuesday.
Nicholas Ninow pleaded guilty to rape, possession of drugs and defeating the ends of justice in the high court in Pretoria on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to assault.
The state is on Tuesday expected to call more witnesses after it rejected Ninow’s plea explanation, which the prosecutor said lacked details about the incident.
“The plea explanation does not sketch out directly how the incident occurred, and as such, the state will continue with the trial,” said prosecutor Dora Ngobeni.
Evidence placed before the court revealed that Ninow had been drinking “substantial” amounts of alcohol and consumed drugs when, by his own admission, he raped the child.
It also emerged during the first day of the trial that he had been drinking beer and shooters at the Dros in September 2018. He also moved tables to sit closer to the kiddie’s corner, the court was told.
Several recent incidents of gender-based violence – including the rape and murder of 19-year-old student Uyinene Mrwetyana in Cape Town – have fuelled protests in the country.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised to push for harsher sentences for rapists and murderers.
