TheCable

Mbuso Mandela, one of the grandsons of South African legend, has appeared at a Johannesburg court over an allegation of rape.

He was accused of raping a 15-year-old at a restaurant, in the Greenside area of Johannesburg, over a week ago.

He allegedly grabbed her as she entered a toilet.

South Africa’s Daily Sun quoted spokesman of the victim’s family as saying the girl went to the restaurant with friends.

“Apparently, she went to the toilet and he grabbed her and raped her inside one of the toilets,” he reportedly said.

The spokesman said after the alleged attack, Winnie Madikizela, Mandela’s second wife, sent a bodyguard – who posed as a police officer – to the family home of the victim to intimidate them.

“Winnie’s bodyguard went to the family pretending to be a cop,” he said.

“The father was told there was no need to arrest the suspect but when the father asked to see his badge, he didn’t have one. It turned out he had been sent by Winnie.

“Just because they have a famous surname, they think they can get away with crime. Children can’t just be raped and then everything is alright. The girl is young and doesn’t even drink.”

Gauteng police spokesman Brigadier Mashadi Selepe said a case of rape was opened on August 14.

“A suspect, who can’t be named before he appears in court, will be in the Joburg Regional Court today. The police are investigating,” he said.

Mbuso is said to be held in police custody until his application for bail is heard on Friday.

Earlier in the year, Mandla, the oldest of the apartheid hero’s grandsons, was convicted of assault.