Judgement in seven-year New Horizons rape trial delayed once again
A New Horizons rape victim’s family and supporters are to wait a little longer for the perpetrator’s sentencing, when the judgement was postponed again on December 3 – this time until March 11 and 12 – in Plettenberg Bay Regional Court.
The recent delay follows a previous postponement on November 19, when Emile Kramer could not grace the courtroom with his physical presence due to medical reasons.
Last week, the newly-appointed attorney asked magistrate Eugenie Jacobs to allow him more time to look into the case; he is “picking up” where his client’s previous lawyer left off.
The appointment of a new attorney was criticised by those in support of the victim as a delay tactic to further suspend sentencing. But the defence attorney stood firm in his request, despite Jacobs’s obvious annoyance when pointing out that judgement had previously been postponed.
The magistrate’s agitation worsened when the defence lawyer indicated he would only be available in March owing to his busy schedule. Ultimately, however, his request was granted.
The Green Hearts, a local organisation fighting against child abuse, left the courtroom utterly disappointed. They expressed their dissatisfaction not only over the postponement but also about the fact that Kramer was granted bail in the first place.
“It’s not understandable why rape accused is still granted bail after the president publicly said this should not be allowed. They are a danger to society, especially to the children.
“In one incident, a suspected rapist was granted bail in the Plett Magistrate’s Court, only to allegedly rape and murder a minor in Hankey, in the Eastern Cape. He is now in St Albans Prison in Port Elizabeth,” said Janet Harding of The Green Hearts.
Even though perpetrators of rape often get away with their crimes, The Green Hearts vow to continue fighting for the victims and are hoping that the government could specially train the police to handle such crimes with delicacy when reported to them.
Kramer is facing judgement for sexually assaulting a girl in 2013. The victim, now 19, was 11 years old at the time.