SA cricketer Ntini charged with rape

After a brief hearing in the East London magistrate’s court, Roberts told public SABC Radio, the case would be referred to the more senior regional court.

Ntini is alleged to have raped a 21-year-old student at a cricket ground on December 1.

On Wednesday, Roberts announced his intention to prosecute the cricketer, but did not name him. A number of newspapers, however, revealed his identity today, leading Roberts to confirm that it is indeed Ntini.

He said in an earlier statement he had deliberated for a month over a decision on whether to prosecute, following a police investigation into the incident, which allegedly took place at Buffalo Parkcricket ground in East London.

Buffalo Park is the home of the Border cricket team, of which Ntini is a member.

Ntini was selected to represent South Africa on their tour of England last summer. A loss of form has seen him excluded from the South African team that has destroyed the West Indies during their current tour of South Africa, winning all the four Test matches played so far.