Garden Route courts had their hands full this week when three men appeared on charges relating to crimes against children.
On Wednesday, the 37-year-old Plettenberg Bay computer engineer briefly appeared in the Knynsa Regional Court for the first time since the matter was transferred to a higher court.
The man, who allegedly has links to a horrific international baby pornography network, was arrested at his home on January 13 this year following a joint investigation by Belgian and South African police.
Belgian police tracked him down after finding his internet address on an online chat room for alleged paedophiles with fetishes for the abuse of children in nappies.
The matter was however postponed to August 14 for copies of the docket to be sent to the man’s lawyer Carl Jeppe. The charge sheet will also be formalised in the meantime.
Meanwhile: A 34-year-old handyman on the same day also briefly appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court. He was arrested after claims surfaced that he allegedly sexually assaulted a six-year-old boy at a popular local preschool.
The matter was postponed for a formal bail application to June 26. The State is opposing bail in the matter,
On Monday, the man accused of murdering a eight-year-old Seson Bhayibhile was also set to appear in court.
He however failed to show up as he is currently undergoing psychiatric evaluation at the Valkenberg Hospital in Cape Town.
The 18-year-old suspect Lulama Candani was arrested on December 9 after allegedly slitting the Plettenberg Bay girl’s throat and dumping her body just a few metres from her home.
State prosecutor Henriette Breedt said that she would liaise with the hospital week to discuss Candani’s evaluation progress in order to establish a new court date.
Yolande Stander - Garden Route Media
