Masechaba Sefularo
A kingpin in a child sex abuse ring has been sentenced to 12 life terms following his earlier conviction on over 700 sex abuse-related charges.
Gerhard Ackerman was sentenced in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday by Judge Ismail Mohammed.
After the judgment was read out, Ackerman fired his legal counsel, and asked to address the court directly, indicating that he wants to appeal and also to apply for bail.
The 52-year-old pleaded not guilty to the multitude of charges against him, despite being found in possession of hundreds of images and videos depicting sexual acts on children.
Judge Mohamed found Ackerman guilty on over 700 charges related to the unlawful distribution of child pornography, benefitting from the sexual exploitation of a child, sexual grooming, rape and attempted kidnapping.
He said in his judgment that the 12 life terms will run concurrently.
Ackerman, who was chatting freely to the media after proceedings, is expected to file a motion for a retrial in November.
