Alleged sex offender Breytenbach granted R50K bail

Alleged sex offender Willem Breytenbach accused of sexually molesting several schoolboys, has been granted R50,000 bail following his appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court.

He faces charges of sexual and indecent assault and has been given strict bail conditions which include appearing at the police station three times a week and surrendering his passport. The matter was postponed to February 4 for investigations.

Breytenbach, who was arrested at his psychologist’s practice in Hartenbos, close to Mossel Bay, on Tuesday appeared in the Cape Magistrate’s Court where the magistrate ruled that no videos would be allowed – only photos.

The accused was arrested by the Western Cape Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit after three cases were opened against him, News24 reported.

Breytenbach is accused of sexually molesting several schoolboys from at least three schools from 1989 to 1994.

Deon Wiggett, a copywriter, published the first episode of My Only Story, a four-episode podcast in which he reveals how Breytenbach allegedly raped him and sexually abused other schoolboys in the 1990s.

Breytenbach, a former journalist and magazine executive at Media24, closed his digital marketing agency, Lightspeed Digital Media, switched off his cellphone and deleted his social media profiles days after the first podcast was aired.

He reportedly left for Reebok, a small beach-side town close to Mossel Bay, where his mother, who is ill, lives.

Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel André Traut confirmed the police were investigating Breytenbach after Wiggett opened a criminal case against him.

According to police sources, investigating officer Warrant Officer Rowan Andrews had been inundated with more names of alleged victims after Breytenbach’s name was revealed by News24.

Seven more men have contacted the police with their accounts of how Breytenbach allegedly groomed them as teenagers. Wiggett told News24 that apart from him and two men who gave statements to News24’s lawyers, 13 more came forward with allegations against Breytenbach.

Breytenbach had attempted suicide on November 15, on a beach near Mossel Bay. He had taken a mixture of sleeping tablets and alcohol and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

(Compiled by Gopolang Moloko. Background information from News24 Wire)

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