Coach accused of sexual abuse of pupils on bail

There has been yet another delay in the case of a former Bryanston High School sports coach accused of sexually assaulting pupils.

The national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) is yet to decide on a review filed by the former coach, who cannot be named because he has not yet pleaded to the charges.

The case has been postponed over five times since he first appeared in court.

The 33-year-old appeared briefly in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court again yesterday.

The state said it had not yet received a decision on the matter from the NDPP.

The man was arrested in January after a 17-year-old pupil at the school and her mother opened a case against him.

He was dismissed on March 1 after a school disciplinary panel found him guilty of sexual harassment and financial mismanagement.

His lawyers had written to the Gauteng director of public prosecutions (GDPP) to ask for a review of the decision to prosecute him.

However, when the GDPP refused the review representations, it was then taken to the NDPP, who had yet to give a directive, the court heard.

It is understood that at least three other female pupils from the school have come forward with similar allegations against the former coach after the initial claim emerged, News24 earlier reported.

The alleged incidents of sexual assault were believed to have taken place during netball matches and on school outings between 2017 and last year.

The matter was postponed to February 4 next year for a decision from the NDPP.

The former coach’s bail has meanwhile been extended pending the NDPP decision. – News24 Wire