Charges withdrawn against Mandela grandson accused of rape

By Lynsey Chutel

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOHANNESBURG _ Criminal charges have been withdrawn against one of Nelson Mandela’s grandsons accused of raping a teenage girl, a spokeswoman for South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority said on Wednesday.

The state withdrew the charges against him for further investigation after new evidence was discovered, said spokeswoman Phindi Louw. Withdrawing the case while the investigation continued was in the interest of the teenage girl, “rather than subjecting her to postponements,” Louw said.

The Mandela grandson was arrested and charged with rape and attempted rape last year. He was later released on bail of nearly $540.

Members of the Mandela family attended Wednesday’s hearing that lasted about an hour, Louw said.

“He’s basically free for now up until the state decides whether we will be proceeding with criminal charges,” said Louw.

The Mandela grandson, in his mid-twenties, was accused of raping the teenager at a Johannesburg restaurant in August last year.

Under South African law related to sexual assault cases, the man may not be named.