Club Med Tinley Manor manager granted bail after appearing on sexual assault and rape charges

A boutique manager at Club Med South Africa in Tinley Manor has been accused of raping an 18-year-old male Lebanese guest at the resort on July 22.

A 35-year-old French national was released on R5 000 bail with strict conditions by the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, August 4.

He was ordered to surrender his passport, remain at his stated residential address for the duration of the case, report to Umhlali Police Station every Monday and attend every court appearance until the matter is finalised.

The court ruled that failure to appear would result in his bail being forfeited to the State and a warrant being issued for his arrest. The accused was also prohibited from communicating with State witnesses or visiting any point of departure, including airports and harbours.

Magistrate Mcunu’s decision followed three days of bail proceedings, which were delayed by the unavailability of the investigating officer and the State’s verification of the accused’s work permit and residential status. The accused was arrested on July 23 and faces Schedule 5 charges of rape and sexual assault.

According to the State, the complainant accepted an invitation to the accused’s on-site staff apartment after the pair had drinks at the hotel bar.

The State alleges the complainant was given alcohol that “paralysed” him, after which the accused forced him to perform oral sex. It further alleges the complainant remains traumatised and is psychologically unfit to testify.

However, an affidavit read into the court record by the accused’s legal counsel, Advocate Anand-Napaul, presents a different version of events.

According to the accused, he and the complainant first met on July 19 while having drinks with other resort staff at the hotel’s main bar.

Three days later, the complainant allegedly joined the accused and several colleagues for late-night drinks and dancing before accepting an invitation to his apartment, where they continued drinking. The accused alleges the complainant then suggested they have sex.

The accused has worked at various Club Med resorts before transferring to the Tinley Manor resort earlier this year on an 18-month work permit.

A letter from Club Med confirming that the accused had been placed on precautionary suspension with full pay pending the outcome of the company’s internal investigation and the criminal case was also entered into the court record.

While on bail, the accused will stay at a guest house in Salt Rock, paid for by his employer, to prevent any contact with potential witnesses or interference with evidence at the resort.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to remove the name of the accused.