MEC vows to find answers after suspects get bail

Social Development MEC Nancy Sihlwayi has promised angry Kenton-on-Sea residents that she will help them find out why two elderly men accused of raping and sexually molesting several young girls were released on bail.

Accepting a community memorandum outside court, Sihlwayi told 50 protesters it was not the first time a community had rejected a bail decision.

She said she would help the Ekuphumleni community find out from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) why both men had been released.

This was echoed by Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle during a visit to Port Alfred to close the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.

The arrests of the 68-year-old Zimbabwean and 76-year-old Kenton pensioner had sent shockwaves through the community.

The memorandum said the community felt the men had been released because they were white.