A Chatsworth casual worker who lured a 12-year-old boy from a local park into an abandoned house will have his name added to the sexual offences register.

Thirty-seven-year-old Seelan Chetty pleaded guilty to the crimes of attempted rape and sexual assault, which he committed on October 7, 2022.

Chetty appeared in the Durban High Court last Thursday, where he was sentenced to 20 years for attempted rape and five years for sexual assault, with an effective 20 years behind bars.

The court made it clear that the same sentence given for rape can be given for attempted rape.

Chetty found to be a regular offender

State advocate Cheryl Pillay stated that Chetty had previously been imprisoned for similar crimes.

During the trial, it emerged that Chetty had been living in Croftdene with his uncle (his parents had died in 2014) and that he had only completed schooling to Grade 10 due to behavioural problems and fighting. He was not permanently employed, but earned money by working casual jobs, including gardening and washing vehicles, for which he earned R100 a day.

When asked about his health, he said that he was not in good health and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and epilepsy, which are managed by medication.

Chetty then appealed to the court to be sent to a rehabilitation centre, explaining that he also has a drinking and substance abuse problem.

Seriousness of the matter

Pillay retorted that crimes of this nature are prevalent throughout this country.

“The court describes sexual assault as humiliating, degrading, and an invasion of the dignity of the person. This accused forcibly took the child into an abandoned building and sexually violated him. The accused’s actions are barbaric and despicable. The accused preyed on the vulnerability of his victim. This is not a mere crime committed against this child, it is a crime committed against society, more especially the innocent and vulnerable. The accused has shown remorse, but this should not detract from the seriousness of this offence, which outweighs the personal circumstances of this accused.

“This is not the accused’s first encounter with the law. He has previous convictions for the same criminal offence. The previous sentences imposed by the courts have not deterred this accused in any way… him being released to walk the streets poses a risk and threat to young, innocent children. I have the privilege of working as a case manager for the Thuthuzela Care Centre based at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital for 12 years and on an average basis, we see 120 to 150 cases of sexual violations per month. This is no joke,” argued Pillay.

Sentencing and unsung heroes

Chetty was sentenced and automatically deemed unfit to own or carry a firearm. In addition, he was entered into the registry of sexual offences and was deemed unfit to work with children.

An unsung hero in this story is the man to who the 12-year-old boy reported the rape and who located Chetty and took him to the Bayview SAPS. The man, Toyota logistics manager Sherwin Reddy explained the day’s events to the Rising Sun.

“I had been driving and had to take an urgent call so I pulled off to a local car wash when the boy tapped on my window and communicated using hand signs. I signalled for him to wait as the call was important and I was under the impression he was begging. He then continued tapping my glass and eventually, I asked him what he wanted. This is when he explained that he had been raped. I was in shock and cut the call to clarify what I had heard.

“He said: ‘Help me, I was raped by the 217 ground’. I tried calling the Bayview police three times, but there was no answer. I started questioning him and he told me that he last saw him [the perpetrator] walking down Havenside, so I took him to find this guy. When we eventually found him, the child was so afraid that he crouched down in the seat. This man denied having done anything, however, when I told the child to come outside, he was shocked and apologised profusely. I then put the suspect in my car, took a picture of him, and videoed his confession, before dropping him off at the police station,” explained Reddy.

The 37-year-old Bayview resident continued: “I saw the child a few times after that, and went to court as well. I have two boys, an eight-year-old and a 13-year-old. I kept thinking that this could have happened to them. I am happy that he has been sentenced and if given the chance to make the decisions I made on that day, I would do it over and over again.”

Working closely with the victim was Tootsie Francis of the SA Outreach and Emergency Services.

“We face many challenges when perpetrators get off easily or with light sentences. This now sends out a stern message to perpetrators. We extended our sincere gratitude to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit and Warrant Officer Samantha Naicker and her partner for making sure that our victim gets justice.

“Parents need to pay attention to their children and the whereabouts of their children. Pay attention to changes in behaviour and be more vigilant when it comes to children. Communities must not allow young children to be on the streets walking around aimlessly at night. Remember, it takes a community to raise a child.”