MPUMALANGA: A 35-year-old security guard appeared at the Nelspruit Magistrates’ Court on 01 July 2020, on charges of rape, sexual assault and other serious crimes committed against children. These series of events are believed to have taken place between January and March 2020.
Reports indicate that the man, who was regarded as a family friend by the victims’ families took advantage of the girls and allegedly committed these barbaric acts against them. The young girls also regarded the man as a father figure whom they never thought would harm them and at times, they would sleep over at his place. However, the man had his own thoughts and whenever they would sleep at his place, to him it became an opportunity to pounce on them when his wife was not at home.
The suspect’s alleged evil tendencies continued for a period of about three months until one of the victims disclosed to a family friend.
The matter was immediately lodged with the police where a case was opened at Nelspruit and the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) took over the investigation. On 07 April 2020, the suspect was nabbed and he made his first court appearance at Nelspruit on 08 April 2020. He was granted bail of R1 500, then yesterday, 01 July 2020, his case was postponed to 03 August 2020.
