Six Pretoria family members accused of forcing their children to perform sexual acts – while they filmed it – will ask the court to withdraw some of the charges against them.
The six family members from Hammanskraal (which include a grandfather, grandmother, aunt and uncle) were charged in 2010 with 53 charges of rape; indecent assault; sexual grooming of children; possession; manufacturing; and distribution of child pornography.
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After the state closed its case at the Pretoria regional court on Monday afternoon, the family’s defence said it wanted the court to dismiss some of the charges during their next court appearance.
Under law, the court may – at the close of the case for the prosecution – return a verdict of not guilty if it believes there is no evidence against the accused.
NGO Women And Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) founder Miranda Jordan Friedman said they were confident in the state’s case despite this application.
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“We hope that a guilty verdict will be returned for each of the accused and that the courts will pass down sentences that reflect the seriousness of child pornography and crimes against the children.”
Initially, nine family members were accused, but two were acquitted in 2015. Another was convicted to nine years imprisonment.
Those arrested included: the grandfather (58); grandmother (57); their two sons aged 34 and 36; the grandfather’s brother (61) and his wife (42); and their mentally disabled son (28).
The two wives of the sons, aged 26 and 31, were arrested later.
After the arrests in December 2010, six minors were immediately removed from the family’s care.
The case will resume on 5 March.
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