Springs father's case postponed

The man accused of abusing his wife and five children and holding them captive appeared briefly in the Springs Magistrate's Court on Thursday (12/06/2014).

The man, who tried to commit suicide last week by slitting his wrists, wore a long white sleeved top hiding his wounds.

His case was postponed to July 25 after the director of public prosecutions Gcobani Lungu asked for more information regarding the investigation.

The 36-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his family members, was arrested last month after allegedly assaulting his wife and five children and keeping them captive.

He faces charges of child abuse, rape, assault, and defeating the ends of justice.

The man was denied bail by the court last week and the matter was postponed so that he could obtain legal aid.

He was appointed a legal aid lawyer on Thursday, Pieter van Niekerk.

Last week, Magistrate Roy le Roux found the man had not come close to convincing the court that it was in the interests of justice to release him on bail.

He had made a false statement that his son was missing, and could be charged with perjury.

"The State has a strong case as far as attempted murder is concerned," Le Roux said in his ruling at the time.

He was referring to a medical report on one of the man's children, an 11-year-old boy.

He had numerous bruises and scars, including one on his head, allegedly from being hit with a knobkerrie.

The man was arrested in May after his 11-year-old son fled the family's house in Springs and ran to a neighbour's house to beg for help. The neighbour called police.

The man allegedly kept his wife and five children, aged between two and 16, captive in the house for several years and assaulted them. - Sapa