A 40-year-old business accused of raping a minor was granted bail. Photo via: Pixabay
Hermanus businessman accused of raping 11-year-old girl granted R10k bail
The 40-year-old man confessed to having sex with the victim during his bail application. He said he thought she was older than 16 years old.
A 40-year-old business accused of raping a minor was granted bail. Photo via: Pixabay
A Hermanus businessman was granted bail by the local Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 4 August. He stands accused of raping an 11-year-old girl in July 2022.
HERMANUS BUSINESSMAN CONFESSES TO HAVING SEX WITH MINOR
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the 40-year-old accused is charged with the grooming and rape of a now-12-year-old girl.
During his bail hearing, the accused confessed to having sex with the girl as he thought she was older than 16 years old. The accused also confessed to having contact with the victim but denied grooming her.
“He also indicated he had three other girlfriends – two in Grabouw and another one in Hermanus but both were older,” said Ntabazalila.
The State alleges that the accused groomed the victim, via social media, from December 2021 and eventually raped her in July 2022. She was 11 at the time but has since turned 12.
The Hermanus man was granted bail despite the State’s fierce opposition to his release. As part of the bail conditions he is not allowed to visit Hawston or make direct or indirect contact with the victim.
The matter was postponed to 13 October for further investigations, said Ntabazalila.
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