A 42-year-old married businessman from Hermanus appeared in the Hermanus Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 22 January, on three counts of rape, sexual grooming and exposure of a minor to pornography.
The accused was arrested on 9 June last year at his business premises in Hermanus. According to sources underwear and other sex equipment were confiscated from his business premises.
“I can confirm a 42-old-man was arrested for three counts of rape, sexual grooming and exposure of a minor to pornography,” Captain Buks Hanekom head of the Hermanus Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit said. “He remains in custody until his next appearance on 25 February in the regional court.”
The accused remains in custody in Caledon, where he has appeared in court several times and on each occasion bail was denied.
The arrest has shocked the Hermanus community, especially after an IT specialist of this coastal town was also arrested last year for child pornography.
“What is going on in our beautiful coastal town?” a concerned resident asked. “Is there a network of criminals who expose themselves to child pornography and rape.”
The IT specialist was arrested in Hermanus on 5 June 2025 by members of the Western Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI) Unit for possession and distribution of child sexual-abuse material (child pornography). He appeared in Hermanus Magistrates’ Court on 9 June 2025, before being released on bail.
