Scholar patroller case postponed

The scholar patroller who allegedly sexually assaulted 87 schoolgirls from AB Xuma Primary School appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The 57-year-old allegedly sexually assaulted 87 girls from the primary school.

Prosecutor Cheryl Slack told the court she could not confirm that 87 children were sexually assaulted by the accused as reported in the media.

She said the state was not yet ready for a bail application because only 15 children, between the ages of five and 12 years, had made victim statements to the police.

As part of the continuing investigation, the accused will be placed before an identity parade.

“In all fairness, the state requests that he be detained at the Orlando police station for the ID parade,” prosecutor Slack said.

Lawyer Denise Mabasa for the accused said they would be making a formal bail application following an identity parade.

Magistrate Herman Badenhorst warned the accused that since he had obtained private legal representatives, legal aid would be reluctant to assist him if he ran out of funds.

The matter was postponed to October 25 to allow for further investigations. Outside court, Klaas Kwakwa from the Patrolling forum said he didn’t know the accused.

“We have been trained ... we don’t even know this man. He is not part of our union,” Kwakwa said.

A disgruntled woman said she was angry and disappointed that no one from the school governing body was assisting with the matter.– ANA