Psychiatric report: Kimberley man accused of multiple rapes declared fit to stand trial

RAPE accused Douglas Mthukwane has been declared fit to stand trial, according to the findings of a psychiatric evaluation report.

Mthukwane is charged with raping a 14-year-old girl and two other women between 2016 and 2019.

He was sent for a 30-day psychiatric observation in August 2024 to determine if he could be held legally responsible for his actions.

He appeared in the Northern Cape High Court this week. 

Senior State advocate Adele van Heerden indicated that the psychiatric evaluation found that Mthukwane had the capacity to follow court proceedings and that he was able to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions.

Mthukwane’s legal representative, Renier Pieterse, stated that while the defence accepted the findings, his client was "unhappy with things mentioned in the report", whereupon the chief psychiatrist at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital, Dr Netsa Kirimi, was called to the stand to testify.

Pieterse said he wished to consult an expert based on the evidence that was presented.

Dr Kirimi stated that Mthukwane spent 30 days in the psychiatric ward for forensic observation.

He added that there were only two psychiatrists in the Northern Cape, including himself and Dr Hammer.

“I did inform the accused that the psychiatric observation was conducted upon instruction of the Department of Justice. For the purposes of the evaluation, he was not entitled to a doctor-patient confidentiality relationship,” he said.

Dr Kirimi indicated that while he had previously treated Mthukwane at his private practice as well as at state institutions, all findings were arrived at independently, in conjunction with a panel of experts, including two psychiatrists.

He added that Mthukwane’s condition was treatable. 

Acting Judge Sharon Erasmus granted a request from the defence that the contents of the medical report should not be divulged, as it contained personal information.

The case is scheduled to continue today.