By OBAKENG MAJE
5 December 2024- The deputy principal (63), from Kgwenyape Primary School in Brits granted R5000 bail. The accused who briefly appeared at the Brits Magistrates Court on 2 December 2024, is facing charges of sexual grooming, sexual assault and statutory rape of a girl learner (12) at the school.
It is alleged that, the accused took the minor child to the bushes near Majakaneng village, where he proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her. This comes after the accused allegedly kissed the victim in 2023, and began to send her nude pictures.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said, after seeing the messages, the victim’s friend informed her mother and the school teacher, who requested them to bring their phones to school for observation.
Mahanjana further said the mother of the victim was informed of the incident by the school and a case was opened against the accused on 23 November 2024. She added that the accused was arrested on 25 November 2024, after he handed himself over to the Brits Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences offices.
“In court during his bail application, the accused, through his legal representative, asked the court to grant him bail because he is a first offender, who is married with children. He added that he was employed as an educator and needed to pay his bond.
“However, the state prosecutor Octavia Pletschke opposed bail, saying that the accused is charged with serious offences, which may result in a lengthy term of imprisonment if found guilty, which might make him evade his trial,” said Mahanjana.
Furthermore, Pletschke said that the accused had already threatened and intimidated the victim, her mother and the witness. She said, therefore, he will interfere with the witnesses and investigations, if granted bail.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Rosenburg said that the setting of the high bail amount and very strict conditions will ensure that the accused stands trial and that he does not interfere further with the victim or witnesses. He added that it is in the interest of justice for the accused to be granted bail, therefore, bail was granted of R5000.
“The bail conditions are that the accused reports daily to the Hartbeespoortdam SAPS, he may not have any direct or indirect contact with the victim or witnesses and that he should surrender his passport to the investigating officer,” he said.
The Guardian 