#TheTotalShutdown: No bail lor alleged molester teacher
A primary school teacher in Greater Knysna applied for bail, which the state opposed, and was in the midst of a lengthy bail application hearing at the time of going to print – CANDICE LUDICK reports
National gender activists and advocacy movement #TheTotalShut-down was informed of the Knysna case and asked to show solidarity with the victims in seeking justice.
The accused was arrested on three counts of sexual assault on November 9. He appeared before the Knysna Magistrates Court on November 11, at which time there were five charges of molestation and one charge of sexual grooming against him.
#TheTotalShutdown petitioned the Department of Justice, National Prosecuting Authority, and SAPS FCS Sexual Offences Unit to keep the accused in custody until his case goes to trial; gather evidence of possible charges against him and possible convictions either in South Africa or any other countries: and to protect the victims who come forward.
A total of 1,566 people signed the petition, either in person at various points throughout Knysna or online, within 36 hours between the accused s first court appearance and the scheduled bail application hearing.
The petition was handed to detective Gallant of the George SAPS sexual offences unit and John Engelbrecht of the National Prosecuting Authority outside the courthouse on November 14.
Colonel Kahn of Knysna SAPS also acknowledged receipt of the petition and thanked #TheTotaIShutdown Garden Route task team for their efforts.
The bail application hearing was set for November 14 but was postponed until the 15th for further investigation. The charge of grooming was dropped and replaced with two charges of sexual exploitation.
The bail application hearing continued on Monday and again on Tuesday. The accused remained in custody between hearings.
Social worker, clinical psychologist, and forensic psychologist Pam Tudin elucidated some of the pertinent issues surrounding appropriate processes that protect the victims in cases of this nature.
She explained that sexual molestation is an addictive behaviour, thus posing a huge risk to society while an applicant awaits trial. The average child molester offends 200 to 400 times before being caught, if ever.
A vast majority of offenders are never caught and have no criminal records because they move around to avoid conviction.
Tudin cautioned that the accused’s rights are not the only rights to be considered in this matter – the children’s voices are as significant.
“It is common cause that children do not lie about sexual abuse matters. In fact, the opposite, for them to come forward is a fear-provoking experience. Unlike adults who may have a vendetta against an adult, children do not conjure up abuse to seek revenge. Cognitively they do not have a capacity to do so,” she said.
‘We bring you the latest Knysna | Garden Route News’