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The suspect appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
A general view outside Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on 16 January 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Die Burger/Theo Jeptha
A 51-year-old man accused of raping a nine-year-old girl in Hanover Park, Western Cape, was out on parole at the time of the alleged crime.
The suspect was arrested by members of the South African Police Service (Saps) after the child was reported missing.
He was apprehended on Tuesday evening during a police operation in Johnvlei Walk.
The charges against him include rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, and sexual assault.
Case postponed
The accused appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
His case was postponed to 23 May to allow for the gathering of bail information and to give him time to secure legal representation.
His identity has not been released at this stage.
Western Cape Deputy Police Commissioner for Crime Detection Bongani Maqashalala confirmed that the suspect will be held at Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town.
He indicated that the accused was released on parole last year.
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Maqashalala also cautioned against acts of vigilantism by community members.
“We appreciate the cooperation and the assistance that comes from the community. On the day of the arrest, that is the 13th of this month when the incident took place, we had some assistance from the community.
“However, they wanted to take the law into their own hands. In the process they damaged state vehicles.
“We cannot allow the situation where the citizens take the law into their own hands because that is criminality,” he said.
Correctional Services to revoke suspect’s parole
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed the man was on parole at the time of the alleged offence.
“Community Corrections officials have since verified his identity and confirmed that he is indeed a parolee currently under the supervision of the Cape Town Community Corrections office,” a statement read.
The suspect had originally been sentenced in March 2008 to 25 years in prison for rape and indecent assault.
The victim in that case was reportedly a 10-year-old girl.
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The accused was granted parole on 26 November 2024 after serving the required portion of his sentence at Voorberg Correctional Centre.
“His parole period was scheduled to run until 22 May 2044.”
The department confirmed that it would begin the parole revocation process following the suspect’s reoffending.
This process is expected to be completed within 14 days in accordance with internal procedures.
“These developments are gravely concerning. The department has launched an internal investigation to review and assess the effectiveness of monitoring measures applied during his parole period.”
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Hanover Park UPDATE:
— Action Society (@ActionSocietySA) May 16, 2025
The man accused of luring a nine-year-old girl into his home in Hanover Park has been formally charged with human trafficking, rape, and sexual assault in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court. Disturbingly, it has come to light that he was out on parole for a… pic.twitter.com/okCUU957qH
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