Bid for house arrest for ‘stressed’ rapist

Social worker cites inhumane circumstances in SA prisons

THURSDAY JANUARY 25 2018

ASOCIAL worker testifying in the pre-sentencing proceedings of convicted child rapist and model agency boss Dawie de Villiers has told the Johannesburg High Court that the victims had not received counselling, a sign that they did not suffer any trauma.

“I was quite surprised, I’m still wondering why they have not been assisted,” Katherina Walmerans said during cross-examination.

In February last year, the founder of Modelling South Africa was found guilty of rape, sexual assault, sexual grooming, fraud, exposure of pornography to children and access to child pornography.

Walmerans said De Villiers had experienced incarceration, which was why in her opinion there was less chance of him reoffending, and that if he was a paedophile he would have committed the offences earlier in his life and would not have stopped.

She told the court she had been compiling pre-sentencing reports for the past 21 years. She said she had consulted with De Villiers, his legal representative, his colleagues, family members, his pastor and the Teddy Bear Clinic. Walmerans said that after an episode on

aired on MNet, his ex-wife stopped him from communicating with their 17-year-old son. His ex-wife also said he had not been providing for their son financially.

Walmerans added that De Villiers was providing for his three other children and was earning R45 000 a month from his modelling business.

“The accused is in good health and maintains a healthy lifestyle,” Walmerans read from her report. “He is suffering from stress as a result of the trial, every member of his family is trying to make the best of the situation.”

She said he was a dedicated father, and had been trusted by the parents of the models, but that his behaviour was inexcusable.

“Since the inception, no further charges were laid until now.”

Walmerans said sentences should act as a warning to the public.

“Circumstances in South African prisons are inhumane,” she said.

“It is impossible to teach someone in prison to be a useful person to society.”

Walmerans cited overcrowding and riots as some of the reasons prisons were not appropriate for rehabilitation.

She said De Villiers was a suitable candidate for correctional supervision and should be placed under house arrest, as it would assist with his rehabilitation and make him a useful member of society. – African News Agency (ANA)