Former Centurion teacher granted bail in child pornography case
The accused was granted bail due to a chronic illness that he might not get treatment for in prison.
A former private educational institution teacher (41) from Valhalla in Centurion has been granted R10 000 bail this week by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court following charges of exposing school children to pornography and sexual grooming.
His case was postponed to March 27 for further investigations to continue.
The 41-year-old was arrested on December 13 following an investigation by the South African Police and the United States Department of Homeland Security.
The accused is facing charges of three counts of exposing pornography to children and four counts of sexual grooming of two 13-year-olds and one 15-year-old boy learner at the school.
The accused was granted bail due to chronic illness.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said in August 2024, the accused allegedly contacted the three learners from the school, sent them nude pictures of himself, and requested them to send theirs in exchange.
She said one of the victims sent his picture to the accused; he proceeded to call the victim through video call, where he demonstrated sexual acts.
“One of the victims reported the matter to the school teacher, who requested they bring their phones to school for observation.”
Mahanjana said the school informed the victims’ parents about the incident, and a case was opened against the accused in August 2024.
“In his bail affidavit, he asked to be released on bail because he is a first offender, his elderly parents are dependent on him, and he has a chronic illness that requires medical attendance,” stated Mahanjana.
“However, state prosecutor Chris Maruma opposed the bail application, saying the accused is a repeat offender to male victims because when the accused was employed as a principal at a private school, a case of a similar nature was opened against him in Randburg.”
Maruma said that more victims have come forward. Therefore, if released on bail, the accused will interfere with investigations by contacting the victims.
Mahanjana said when handing down judgment, the magistrate said because the information on the devices is unknown, the strength of the state’s case is currently unknown.
“Moreover, he said that the accused has a chronic illness that he might not get treatment for in prison. Therefore, the accused was granted bail.”
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