Ramloo Perumal Naidu (47) of Umkomaas has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, abduction, sexual exploitation of children and trafficking in persons for sexual purposes.
His co-accused Mandi Davanthulu (25) of Riverside Park is charged with sexual exploitation of children, conspiracy to commit sexual offence and trafficking in persons for sexual purposes.
The charges relate to an incident in July last year when Naidu allegedly paid Davathulu R200 to have sex with an 11-year-old girl. It is alleged the building inspector, who is now employed by the Umdoni Municipality, adbucted the girl in Umzinto and raped her at Ifafa Beach. The State alleges Davathulu met Naidu at an Umzinto petrol station and placed the girl in Naidu’s vehicle after she received R200 from him.
The girl cannot be named as she is under age and prosecutor Christelle Rossouw has successfully applied for the alleged victim to testify in camera because she is a minor.
Both pleaded not guilty at their first appearance on 25 September at Scottburgh Regional Court, and are both out on bail.
