Witness in Verulam rape trial describes claims of abuse
The trial of a Verulam man accused of repeatedly raping his stepdaughter has heard the child would be paralysed with fear when she saw him.
The 45-year-old man was arrested two years ago shortly after the girl - who was 11 at the time spoke up.
His trial is being heard in the Durban High Court.
A neighbour was the first witness to take the stand on Monday.
The neighbour told the court about how his wife built a strong relationship with the child and how the now 13-year-old eventually confided in her about the alleged abuse.
He says the girl spoke up a day after the accused had apparently sjambokked her. The neighbour says the child had stayed the night at their home following the assault.
He says after sharing her ordeal with his wife, the girl asked them to check her stepfather's phone for evidence of his alleged abuse. Police were then called.
When State Prosecutor, Cheryl Naidu asked the neighbour about the nature of the relationship between the girl and her stepfather - he responded by describing it as odd.
He says the child feared the accused as she would always walk behind him, keep her head down and not talk to anyone while he was around.
The trial will continue in Durban on Tuesday morning.
