A 25-year-old medical student and part-time math tutor continues to be held in custody following his denial of bail in the Randburg Regional Court on July 31. Charged with raping and sexually assaulting a number of boys aged between 9 and 13, the accused allegedly preyed on vulnerable children from single-parent families in a Bromoff complex in Randburg, where he resided.

Three more boys from the complex have now come forward, alleging that they were also assaulted by the medical student since the first court hearing.

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The disturbing case came to light when a newcomer to the complex expressed unease in a community WhatsApp group regarding the man’s interactions with children. This prompted one mother to question her 11-year-old son, who confided that the accused had molested him, taken nude photographs in December 2024, and exposed him, and others, to inappropriate images of women.
As detailed in Detective Constable Cholofelo Mwodisapodi’s affidavit, the boy recounted asking the man to stop, only for him to refuse and insist on secrecy. The child also alleged the accused followed boys into bathrooms during swimming outings to inspect their private parts.

The accused faces nine serious counts: one of rape, six of sexual assault, and two of grooming. He had integrated himself into the community for over five years, earning trust by playing with children and supervising them at the complex’s swimming pool, as unsupervised access was prohibited. One mother, seeking to boost her son’s maths grades, hired him as a tutor, believing him reliable. The revelations have left the victims’ mothers shattered, with one stating her son now lives in constant fear, clinging to her during an outing after mistaking a stranger for the accused.

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In his bail application, the final-year master’s student pleaded not guilty and emphasised the need for release to complete his dissertation by the end of August 2025, ahead of graduation in 2026.

He claimed his research project required lab access and offered to relocate during proceedings. Appearing uneasy in court, fidgeting, adjusting glasses, and mouthing denials like: ‘That’s a lie, I never did that’, he was ultimately denied bail by Magistrate Abdul Qadir Khan. The magistrate weighed the accused’s academic progress against the grave risks, noting that interference with witnesses or victims could discredit the justice system. Even at an alternative address, exposure to children remained a concern. The next court appearance will be on August 28 and will revisit bail.

The trial, potentially months away, will occur in a special children’s court to reduce stress on victims.

Statements remain open for additions if new memories surface. Mwodisapodi encouraged more victims to come forward, as it could lead to additional charges or separate dockets.

The Bromoff community remains reeling from the betrayal of trust. As investigations proceed, the Randburg Sun will continue to provide coverage of this case.

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