GRASKOP – The young girl pointed directly at the accused in court, identifying him as the man who had repeatedly raped her for years.
This played out in the regional court this week when high profile businessman Mr Lloyd Mabuza (60) and his accomplice Ms Violet Chauke (20) appeared on charges of human trafficking of five girls from Mozambique for sexual purposes. The trial began on Monday and both accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. The rest of the trial would be held in camera as the five minor girls were testifying.
On Tuesday, prosecutor Ms Isabet Erwee requested the court to be emptied of all besides the officials of the Mozambique government and the NPA. She said one of the girls was to do a pointing-out in court.
It was later reported that she pointed directly at Mabuza as the man who had raped her repeatedly and kept her prisoner in a compound in Rhenosterhoek in Sabie.
She was one of five who had apparently been brought to South Africa under the false pretences of attending school and leading a better life.
The five girls, aged 10 to 16, were kept captive for four years until one of them escaped and got help last year.
Outside the court Lowvelder spoke to
Mr Michael Mashego who had come to see for himself that it was the man he knew. “I used to work with Mabuza at York Timbers, I could not believe this.”
Operations manager for Child Welfare SA: White River, Mr Johan Bosch, said they were happy that the case had eventually come to trial.
“We do hope that the court will give priority attention to this case and finalise it as soon as possible so that the children can be returned to their families.”
He reiterated that they had been through a traumatic experience and testifying in court was adding to the trauma – causing secondary trauma victimisation.
“We are also happy about the profiling of the case and that it is being overseen by the NPA and the Mozambique consulate. Also the media attention.”
He said they also felt that this was going to be a watershed case to test the implementation of the new Human Trafficking Act, should the suspects be found guilty.
Bosch emphasised that he hoped that government and all other stakeholders would realise that child trafficking was a reality and a major problem in the province.
