A male nurse, who was arrested last month on allegations of rape made by a former teenage patient, has told the court that he was in a love relationship with the boy. The nurse was arrested after he was caught by community members with the boy and confronted him, as this was not the first time they saw him with different boys.

CLAIMING TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS ACCUSER

The 49-year-old nurse appeared in the Nigel Magistrates Court today, where he formally applied for bail. Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), stated that the accused sought bail because he needed to work to provide for his child. "He further told the court that he was in a love relationship with the 17-year-old,' Mahanjana said. The nurse and the victim met at a hospital in August 2023, where the teenager was admitted for a medical procedure. The accused was working at the same hospital as a nurse. It is alleged that the nurse made advances towards the boy, who was later discharged from the hospital because his medical aid was depleted. However, the accused continued to bring the boy's medication to his home. "When it was time for him to leave, he would ask the boy to accompany him in his car and drive with him to a nearby veld where he allegedly raped him on two occasions,' Mahanjana said.

A FLIGHT RISK

State prosecutor Tumelo Madisha opposed the application, arguing that the nurse exploited the boy's vulnerable situation of not affording medical care. "Madisha further told the court that the accused was a flight risk because he failed to provide an alternative address.' Magistrate Rakesh Chitradow agreed with the state that the accused was a flight risk, and he said he did not find any exceptional circumstances warranting his release on bail. The nurse is accused of sexually assaulting another 19-year-old man. The case was postponed to 31 March 2025 for further investigation.