Club Med manager accused of sexual assault and rape to return to court in December

Further investigation is underway in the rape case against a Club Med Tinley Manor manager accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old guest.

The 35-year-old boutique manager, a French national, appeared in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Monday, October 5. He is accused of sexually assaulting and raping an 18-year-old Lebanese man at the resort on July 22.

At his previous appearance on August 4, the accused was released on R5 000 bail following three days of bail proceedings. His bail conditions include surrendering his passport, remaining at his stated residential address for the duration of the case, reporting to Umhlali Police Station every Monday and attending all court hearings. He is also prohibited from visiting departure points, including airports and harbours.

With further consultations and eyewitness statements outstanding, the accused’s legal counsel, Advocate Anand-Napaul, requested a postponement until December 14 to allow investigations to continue. He also asked for his client’s bail to be extended under the existing conditions. The State did not object, and Magistrate Mchunu granted both requests.

According to court documents, the complainant accepted an invitation to the accused’s staff apartment after the pair had drinks at the hotel bar. He alleges that he was given a substance that left him feeling paralysed, after which the accused performed oral sex on him without his consent.

The accused disputes this account. He maintains that he first met the complainant three days before the alleged incident while drinking with other resort staff at the hotel’s main bar. Three days later, he says, the complainant joined him and several colleagues for late-night drinks and dancing before accompanying him to his apartment, where they continued drinking. The accused claims the complainant then suggested they have sex.

The accused had worked at various Club Med resorts before being transferred to Tinley Manor earlier this year on an 18-month work permit.

The court heard that he had no previous convictions or pending criminal cases. However, evidence was also presented concerning an Interpol finding reportedly linked to two similar allegations made against him in 2023.

He remains on precautionary suspension on full pay while Club Med conducts an internal investigation and the criminal case proceeds.

The case was postponed to December 14.