Gerhard Ackerman: Mother of victim hopes ‘he never sees the sun rising again’

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is eyeing others involved with convicted sex syndicate kingpin Gerhard Ackerman, as organisations against child abuse and parents claim his conviction as a victory for his victims across the country.

Judge Ismail Mahomed in the High Court in Johannesburg on Monday convicted Ackerman of 728 charges, with NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane saying that was “just the beginning”.

She added: “There will be a whole lot of work that we start from the day his judgment is delivered, where obviously we cannot share much information.”

ALSO READ: Judge finds Paul Kennedy had a crucial part in Ackerman’s child sex ring

Mjonodwane welcomed the conviction and said by having cases against Ackerman from other provinces as well, “it helped cast our net very wide so that even when the judgment was made, we remained with a lot of charges”.

“What satisfies us as a prosecution is that today all our complainants will get closure.”

Despite some victims not coming forward- and others awaiting their trial to commence, a mother of one of Ackerman’s victims said this was a win for everyone who has ever been victimised by the convicted child rapist.

“While it doesn’t take away the pain he caused all of us, it certainly brings closure to those who need it the most and knowing he won’t strike again,” the mother said, holding back her tears.

“Even though we were not a part of this case, the conviction for all of us, the families, the parents and our children, means we can put this to bed.”

Mahomed’s mention of the late senior advocate and acting judge Paul Kennedy’s involvement “acknowledged his participation and contribution in all of this, because his death does not acquit him from this matter”, the mother said.

ALSO READ: Child sex abuse ring kingpin Gerhard Ackerman found guilty of over 700 charges

“The judge is right, Kennedy [who took his own life while out on bail] saw through this whole matter and decided to take his own life, but Ackerman still fails to show any remorse, you can see it from his body language and facial expressions,” she added.

However, Ackerman, who looked irritated and infuriated in the dock, could not help but shake his head following the scathing judgment and finally let out a slight grin when his lawyer Herman Alberts requested a postponement to acquire a psychologist report for sentencing purposes.

Mahomed said he did not see how anyone can assist Ackerman in mitigation of the sentence when he had already pleaded his innocence to the entire world.

‘I’ve never hurt anyone’ – Ackerman

On Friday, Ackerman told members of the media he was innocent and he did nothing wrong, because the young boys “knew what they were doing”.

“I’ve never done anything malicious, I’ve never hurt anyone,” Ackerman said as he denied “handing over” the young boys to anyone.

“Let’s assume the expert you call says well, the accused is a fallen angel. How is that going to help? In light of what the accused himself has testified here, saying he did nothing wrong?” Mohamed told Alberts.

ALSO READ: Sex ring kingpin Ackerman claims boys knew they’d be expected to ‘touch’ clients

“I saw your client announcing to the entire world his innocence and that he will go to the higher court if found guilty, which he is entitled to do.

“But having said that and having seen him suggesting he is innocent, how is someone going to assist him in mitigation?”

In an exclusive interview with the SABC, another mother said the matter tore their family apart and left her son vulnerable, scared and in a dark place.

“Those clients of his abused our kids, not just mine, it was quite a few,” the wailing mother noted.

“[Justice for me is] if he never sees the sun rising again. Maybe if they put him in a place where it’s dark, so he can feel how dark our lives are and how dark my son’s life is; a dark place with no windows and he can live his life there. But still that won’t be enough.”

Meanwhile, Women and Men Against Child Abuse also claimed Ackerman’s conviction as a victory. The organisation’s advocacy manager, Luke Lamprecht, said “the message this is sending across is that we support the victims 100% and that we believe the evidence”.

ALSO READ: Sex ring kingpin Gerhard Ackerman maintains innocence as judgment postponed

The case was postponed to 18 July for sentencing and a psychological report.

Full list of charges:

• 639 counts of unlawful possession of child pornography.
• Two counts of unlawful creation of child pornography.
• Two counts of unlawful importing or procuring of child pornography.
• One count of unlawful distribution of child pornography.
• Three counts of benefitting from the sexual exploitation of a child.
• 18 counts of the sexual grooming of children.
• Five counts of exposure or display of genital organs to children.
• Five counts of using children for or benefitting from child pornography.
• One count of malicious damage to property.
• Three counts of attempted murder.
• One count of unlawful transactions facilitating the distribution of child pornography.
• Five counts of human trafficking.
• Three counts of benefitting from the services of a child victim of trafficking.
• Two counts of allowing a premises to be used to facilitate trafficking in persons.
• One count of distributing information that facilitates or promotes trafficking in persons.
• Four counts of conduct that facilitates trafficking.
• Seven counts of rape.
• Seven counts of sexual assault.
• One count of compelled rape.
• One count of compelled sexual assault.
• 11 counts of sexual exploitation of children.
• Three counts of furthering the sexual exploitation of a child.

– reitumetse@citizen.co.za