The madressa teacher who was accused of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter has been found not guilty.
Yesterday Abdul Karriem Davids heard the verdict at the Wynberg Regional Court, where he was facing three charges of grooming, sexual assault and exposing a minor to pornography.
Davids, from Surrey Estate, was arrested by the Grassy Park police at the Halawat ul Qur’an Haafith Academy in Ottery in November 2019, after the girl confided in a friend.
She accused him of touching her bum when they were hugging during Ramadaan that year.
Her mom says: “She told me about an incident when she was 13 years old, she said when she greeted him by kissing him on the cheek, he turned and kissed her with an open mouth and then grabbed her bum.
“She told her friend who forced her to come clean. But I didn’t know there were more details, until I heard from my father what he did to her.”
The trial started in May and the girl testified in court about her alleged ordeal.
But after two years the court found that he was not guilty.
“We are content, clearly the justice system doesn’t favour the victims,” the mom says.
“She wasn’t adequately prepared (to testify) and I think that is why he is walking away free.”
“We are glad that this is finally over. I am disappointed but content. I believe in the day of reckoning, where the true judgement will be given.”
Attempts to contact Davids yesterday were unsuccessful.