A member of the Western Cape provincial parliament and local politician has been granted R15,000 bail in the George Magistrate’s Court following his arrest on charges of trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation of children, and rape.
The accused, whose identity remains protected until he enters a plea, is alleged to have committed these offenses against a minor over a five-year period.
The Western Cape spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed that the court imposed strict bail conditions.
“The court set the bail with conditions that he must not be in contact, directly or indirectly, with the witnesses in the case, must reside at an alternative address in Cape Town, and must inform the investigating officer if he intends to move out of the district where he will be staying during the period of his bail,” Ntabazalila said.
According to the George Herald, the court heard the victim involved had previously attempted to take her own life by overdosing on medication.
The publication stated that an affidavit was handed over to the court as evidence that outlined a series of incidents spanning over several years in which the accused is said to have raped the girl from the ages of 12 to 17, at various locations.
The matter against the politician has been postponed until May 27 for further investigation.
In a significant development, the victim’s mother has also been implicated in the case. She was arrested days after the politician and faces charges of trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation.
Her case has been postponed until April 28 to allow for the presentation of her medical records to the court.
The accused politician remains out on bail under the specified conditions.
IOL
Robin-Lee Francke
iol.co.za