A lawyer representing a man accused of raping a nine-year-old girl in January withdrew from the case for ethical reasons just before the trial was set to start in the Port Elizabeth High Court on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old man from Jeffreys Bay, who cannot be named as he has not yet pleaded, is charged with two counts of rape and one of robbery.
It is alleged that, on January 1, the little girl, whose grandmother lives in the same Pellsrus community as the alleged rapist, was sent to a family member’s home to collect her mother’s cellphone.
After collecting the phone, the girl was on her way back when the man allegedly grabbed her and pulled her into a nearby bushy area near the beach.
According to the indictment, he instructed the girl to undress and raped her.
After the alleged rape, the man left the girl behind and made off with the cellphone.
The girl ran to her mother and informed her what had happened.
On the way to report the matter, the girl pointed out the suspect, who was then apprehended and taken to the police station.
On Tuesday, advocate Johan van der Spuy told the court he intended to step down from the case and asked the court to postpone the matter for the suspect to consult a newly appointed Legal Aid attorney.
Van der Spuy said he would withdraw for ethical reasons, but did not elaborate.
Judge Irma Schoeman granted the request and postponed the case for trial to Monday.