The case against an alleged child sex offender from Morningside has been postponed, once again, to 25 February.
The Sandton Chronicle first reported on the case last year in the article R5 000 bail for alleged molester, Week ending 7 November. The mother of the child provided details of the incident which happened during a hockey match at the Morningside Country Club. A 49-year-old man was arrested and after appearing court, was released on R5 000 bail.
The organisation Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) were present at the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court following the case of which has been on the roll since August last year.
In November last year, the matter was postponed so that the state could obtain the accused’s cell phone records and to allow for further evidence to be brought forward.
On 23 January the matter was postponed to February 25, to allow for the state prosecutor and the defence attorney to consult. The prosecutor has also requested a victim impact statement to be done and the accused remains out on bail of R5 000.
Joanne Barrett, spokesperson at WMACA said, “We are outraged that this serial child predator has been let out on bail.” Barrett and colleague Ngaa Murombedzi alleged that the accused faces 38 similar charges. According to National Prosecuring Authority spokesman Hurbetin Phindi Louw, the accused has only been implicated in two cases, one of which was withdrawn.
Barrett and Ngaa questioned the competence of those handling the case, based on the accused previously having received bail. In reaction hereto, Louw explained that bail is granted at the discretion of the presiding officer. “The onus is on the accused to convince the court that they are eligible candidates for bail, and where the court feels that the interest of justice permits the release of an accused person on bail, such a person will be granted bail,” Louw explained.
“This does not necessarily mean it is the end of the case or the State case is weak, it simply means that the court is convinced that the person will stand trial. Bail is not used as a punitive measure, but rather as a measure to secure the court attendance by an accused person,” Louw concluded.*
*The report has been amended to include comment from the NPA in reaction to Barrett and Ngaa’s allegations. The publication apologises for previously failing to do so.
Read the original article and interview with the mother of the victim here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/epapers/sandton-chronicle-2-november-2018/#book/3
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