Plettenberg Bay - A large crowd gathered outside the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday ahead of the appearance of a local computer engineer allegedly linked to an international baby pornography network.
It was the man’s third appearance since his arrest on January 13 after a raid on his sea-facing home in the coastal holiday town following a joint investigation by Belgian and South African police.
The 37-year-old man, who cannot be named until he has pleaded to the charges, was tracked down by members of the Antwerp police child and sexual exploitation unit who found his internet address on a chat room for alleged paedophiles who have fetishes for the sexual abuse of babies in nappies.
The matter was transferred to the Knysna Regional Court on Tuesday where he is scheduled to appear on June 17. His bail was extended.
Several local children’s rights groups including members of Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA), the Green Hearts of Plett and the ANC Women’s League, used his court appearance to take a stand against child pornography – demanding that courts not grant bail to alleged paedophiles and pass harsher sentences for those who are found guilty of these crimes.
While protesters were happy that the matter was transferred to a higher court, they were fuming when they noticed the accused leave the court with a local clergyman.
The suspect was dressed in a blue shirt in court but wore a hooded jacket when he left with Plettenberg Bay’s St Peters Anglican Church minister Reverend Mark Marais.
“Yes, it is the responsibility of the church to counsel those who have lost their way, but that should be done in the confines of the person’s home or in the church and not be flaunted in the public like that. We just feel that it sends out the message that the church condones the man’s alleged actions,” local WMACA member Yvette Wilschut said.
Other protesters said they felt the church was seen by many as a “sanctuary” and that supporting an alleged paedophile, would make churchgoers feel unsafe.
After court proceedings the group of protesters went to the church where they stood outside brandishing posters that read, “no excuse for child abuse” and “life sentences for killers”.
Marais, however, said the accused had reached out to him for help and that it was therefore his responsibility to assist. He added that it was not his place to judge.
Garden Route Media