THE State has sought protection for a vulnerable witness in a rape case.
The case before the court involves a 39-year-old man who allegedly raped a 10-year-old girl.
However, the defence said the complainant and her mother, 30, lived in the same house as the accused from January 29 to May 19 this year without any threat.
The court heard following the last court date and advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions Office, the child was taken to live with her grandmother while the mother continued to live in the same house.
The court heard the child's mother was the accused's sister-in-law.
High Court judge Justice Salesi Temo said children under the age of 13 years cannot consent to sex.
He said any person found having sex with a child below 13 years would spend more than 10 years in prison.
Justice Temo said he could not allow the accused out on bail.
Justice Temo remanded the accused until the trial and adjourned the case to October 26.