/ 20 June 1999

JOURNALIST’S RAPE ACCUSED IN COURT

THE man accused of raping journalist Charlene Smith appeared briefly in the Johannesburg Regional Court on Thursday. The 26-year-old Newlands, Johannesbug man, who has not yet pleaded to a charge of rape, allegedly broke into the journalist’s house on April 1 after making threatening calls to her. He allegedly raped her, covered her mouth with adhesive tape, tied her hands and feet, and fled with her cellular telephone and bank cards. The case was postponed until July 13 for further investigation and the accused, who was refused bail last month, remains in custody.