Durban - A KwaZulu-Natal building inspector, who allegedly paid R200 to a woman to have sex with a child, is facing charges of rape and human trafficking.
Ramloo Perumal Naidu, 47, employed by the uMdoni Municipality, appeared in the Scottburgh Regional Court on Wednesday, sharing the dock with Mandi Davathulu, 25, the woman who allegedly offered the child to him.
The pair are on trial on several charges related to the rape and abduction of an 11-year-old girl. They pleaded not guilty.
It is alleged that Naidu abducted the girl in July last year in Umzinto and raped her at Ifafa Beach, on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
Davathulu, facing charges of sexual exploitation and trafficking, is alleged to have offered the services of the child to Naidu, for a financial reward, for purposes of the commissioning of sexual acts.
The State alleges that Davathulu took the child to an uMzinto petrol station where she was placed in Naidu’s vehicle.
It is alleged that she received R200 for the delivery of the child.
Naidu, of Craigieburn in eMkhomazi, faces one count each of abduction, rape and trafficking and two counts of sexual exploitation of a child.
Davathulu is a resident of Riverside Park in uMzinto.
Wednesday’s proceedings involved evidence from the complainant, now 13.
At the start of the proceedings, prosecutor Christelle Rossouw made an application that the alleged victim testify in camera because she was still a minor.
Members of the gallery, including media, were asked to leave the courtroom.
The matter continues.
Daily News