A 35-year-old Kimberley doctor who was charged with the rape of a 17-year-old girl will make a formal bail application next week.
A 35-YEAR-old Kimberley doctor who was charged with the rape of a 17-year-old girl will make a formal bail application next week.
The accused, Dr Ilunga Kalasa, was arrested on August 16 at the medical practice where he is employed in Barkly Road.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Dikeledi Gopane said the Kimberley SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit was investigating a rape that allegedly took place on August 15 at about 12.40pm.
“It is alleged that a 17-year-old girl was raped by her medical doctor during a medical consultation in Kimberley. The girl left the doctor’s surgery and later informed her aunt about the incident, who registered a case on Tuesday, August 16,” said Gopane.
Kalasa made an appearance in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where the courtroom was filled to capacity.
He requested a new presiding officer as he claimed that she had consulted him at his medical practice. Magistrate Maimane Booi, however, indicated that she did not know the accused. She postponed the matter until August 22 for a formal bail application.
Kalasa will remain in custody until his next court appearance.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the State would oppose bail.
“The accused is facing a serious charge and is employed in a profession where he is entrusted with the care of patients,” Senokoatsane pointed out.
He added that the State would verify Kalasa’s medical credentials as well as ascertain whether he is in the country legally as he is believed to be a Congolese national.
Community members, as well as fellow pupils of the victim, picketed outside the court building, calling for Kalasa to be denied bail.
The principal of the school where the Grade 10 pupil attends indicated that they would arrange counselling for her.
“She is very young and is traumatised. We arranged for her fellow pupils to attend court proceedings to offer their support. We will attend so that she does not feel isolated or alone.”
