A debate over the meaning of the colloquial term "blesser" took place in the Randburg magistrate's court on Friday during the bail application of Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya. Sibiya's lawyer, Amanda Nel, questioned investigating officer Det Nokukhanya Ndlovu about the term while challenging the state's human trafficking case against her client. Sibiya faces six charges, including rape, human trafficking, and sexual grooming of a minor.
Ndlovu explained that a "blesser" refers to someone who provides financial support to another person, often in exchange for sexual favors. The term is commonly associated with older men and younger women. Nel asked Ndlovu if she considered a man referred to as Mr M a "blesser," but Ndlovu rejected the suggestion, stating that she does not judge people based on such labels.
The exchange occurred as Nel challenged the state's allegations that Sibiya recruited or transported young women through deception and abuse of power. Nel asked Ndlovu to specify the alleged deception, to which Ndlovu replied that Sibiya told the women he knew a place where they could get good food. Ndlovu also mentioned an alleged conversation where the women were told to dress appropriately for a classy venue.
The defense questioned whether these actions could be considered deception in a human trafficking case. Ndlovu maintained that the state has a strong case against Sibiya. Nel also challenged the allegation that Sibiya personally transported the women, arguing that another man, Mr M, who was Sibiya's driver, was involved. Ndlovu countered that the vehicle was under Sibiya's control and that the transportation allegedly happened on his instructions.
The defense put it to Ndlovu that the trafficking allegation was false, but Ndlovu disagreed. Nel argued that, based on the state's own evidence, there was a weak case on this count. Ndlovu disagreed, stating that she believed there was a strong case. The questioning was part of a wider challenge by Nel to the state's version of events on the night of May 16.
The court has heard that Sibiya allegedly took teenagers to a Sandton venue before they returned to a hotel. The state alleges that one of the women, an 18-year-old referred to as MC, later became unconscious after consuming alcohol. Sibiya admits to having sexual intercourse with her but claims it was consensual. Ndlovu told the court that Sibiya remained in the room with the 18-year-old after she had allegedly become unconscious.
The bail application has been postponed until next week. The state maintains that the evidence will show what happened and that it has a strong case against Sibiya. The defense has challenged the circumstances surrounding the alleged rape, pointing out that the other women did not witness the sexual intercourse.
Key points
- The term "blesser" was debated in court, with the investigating officer defining it as someone who provides financial support in exchange for sexual favors.
- The defense challenged the state's allegations, arguing that there was a weak case on the human trafficking count.
- The bail application has been postponed until next week, with the state maintaining that it has a strong case against Sibiya.
