A well-known Pretoria businessman – accused of raping his three-year-old granddaughter – is due to appear in court again in June.
This after the case against him was postponed last week.
The man will now appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 13 June.
AfriForum announced in October of last year it intended to privately prosecute the individual. The case is the first private prosecution by the unit.
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The civil rights organisation said the case was postponed after the accused indicated he would like to appoint advocate Barry Roux as his legal representation.
The court ordered that neither the identity of the accused, nor any information pertaining to the crime may be published.
AfriForum private prosecution unit head Gerrie Nel requested that neither the accused, nor any of his witnesses, have any contact with the victim as a condition of the postponement.
“AfriForum’s private prosecution unit cannot allow individuals like this person to get away with committing a crime against a vulnerable child, simply because he has money and status,” said prosecutor Wico Swanepoel.
“The private prosecution unit was established to confirm equality before the law. It was the basis of the opposition’s argument the matter should proceed in camera.
“AfriForum’s argument is that all accused persons should be treated equally. The Dros case and how the identity of the accused was dealt with in that case, was used as an example.”
The case is a first in South African courts.
It falls within the category of cases where individuals are protected from prosecution because of who they are and what role they play in society, the organisation said.
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