SASOLBURG — A 62-year-old former nightclub owner from Vaalpark, who faces multiple charges of sexual offences and possession of child pornography, was granted bail following his most recent appearance in the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning.

The accused, whose identity is known to Vaalweekblad, was arrested on July 30 and is facing serious charges, including rape, sexual assault, assault involving a suspected so-called “date-rape” drug, grooming, trafficking of a minor, and other related sexual offences, including possession of pornography.

According to police, several of the charges are linked to three separate cases opened in Sasolburg between July and August this year. During the investigation, explicit video material depicting sexual assaults was allegedly found on the accused’s computer.

Members of the Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation Unit (SECI) traced several victims, some of whom were reportedly unaware that they had been drugged, raped, and filmed.

Among the victims are his stepdaughter, as well as a 13-year-old child who had been placed in his care by a private social worker.

According to Mojalefa Senokotsoane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Free State, the accused was released on bail under strict conditions, including a prohibition on any contact with the victims or state witnesses.

The case has been postponed to November 7 for further investigation and directives from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Police sources indicated that the accused’s initial bail application earlier this year was denied, but a second application, lodged by a new attorney, was granted, despite allegedly being based on the same facts.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the accused is scheduled to undergo back surgery — a medical condition he had already cited during previous court proceedings.

The SECI unit’s investigation is ongoing, and additional charges of rape and possession of pornography are still expected.

Editorial Note: The name of the accused has been deliberately withheld to prevent the identification of the minor victim. The Criminal Procedure Act prohibits the publication of any details that could directly or indirectly identify a victim of sexual offences while a case is still pending.