Man charged with abuse, grooming out on bail

A HERMANUS businessman has been granted bail after he was charged with sexually grooming his alleged victim since she was 11 years old after luring her on via social media.

The child has since celebrated her 12th birthday.

The 40-year-old man made an appearance at the Hermanus Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

He he allegedly had groomed the child between December last year and July.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: “The 40-year-old businessman confessed to having sexual intercourse with the girl, because he thought she was older than 16 years old.

“He was granted R10 000 bail despite the State’s fierce opposition to him being released on bail.

Ntabazalila added that he confessed to the sexual intercourse during the bail application.

“He also indicated he had three other girlfriends – two in Grabouw and another one in Hermanus, but both were older. The court heard that the grooming started when the girl was 11 years old through social media. He later had physical contact with her three or four times, but without having sex.”

Ntabazalila said the man made no admission he had sexually groomed the child.

Ntabazalila said the man had been granted bail with strict conditions.

“After setting bail, the court set conditions that he is not allowed to visit Hawston and not to make direct or indirect contact with the complainant.”

The case was postponed until October 13 for further investigations.

At the opening of the Film and Publication Board’s Child Protection Week Campaign, interim CEO Dr Mashilo Boloka said more needed to be done to protect children from online predators.

“The South African government has, through the introduction of the legislation such as the Films and Publications Amendment Act, ensured that those who commit crimes against children using the internet also face the full might of the law.

One cannot deny that it has been a challenge in the past to prosecute such crimes and give appropriate punishment to offenders as the pieces of legislation battle to keep pace with the rapid rate of change in the online space.”