Cape Town – An elderly man, who has appeared in court for sexual offences involving young girls, has died in prison, a correctional services official said on Friday.

Western Cape correctional services spokesperson Simphiwe Xako said Roger Haupt, 77, died in Goodwood Prison two weeks ago.

“He was admitted at the Karl Bremer Hospital and returned back to Goodwood Prison. He died at 11:00 that Saturday [28 September].”

He refused to divulge the cause of death.

Haupt was to have appeared in the Goodwood District Court on Friday, after a failed bail application in August.

He faced 22 charges involving sexual offences.

At his last appearance, the court heard the investigation began when one of Haupt’s neighbours reported that for years, he had seen young girls entering his home at all hours.

Police spokesperson Johan Kotzé stated that Haupt recently tested HIV-positive.

– SAPA