A R10 000 bribe was apparently requested by the investigating officer in the Valhalla school sexual assault case to make the matter disappear.
This was submitted by the defence during the 55-year-old teacher’s bail hearing in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The teacher – who cannot be named until he pleads – is facing 24 charges of sexual and common assault and crimen injuria.
In court, his newly appointed advocate said the teacher’s wife told him of the SMS bribe demand.
ALSO READ: NEWSFLASH: UPDATE: Centurion teacher accused of sexual assault arrested
The investigating officer Captain Johannes Mkhondo denied the allegation and offered for his phones to be checked.
Mkhondo earlier said unknown people had impersonated him and contacted the accused’s wife to verify his address earlier in the day.
It was also revealed the accused would deny the charges and plead not guilty.
The teacher, who has five children, was arrested on 7 February after he handed himself over to police.
Prior to his arrest, he was “precautionarily” removed from the school.
The bail hearing was set to continue after lunch time on Wednesday afternoon.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Centurion teacher accused of sexually assaulting 23 learners to appear in court
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