The Hermanus man who was arrested in June for the possession of child pornography brought an application before court on Friday to request that he no longer remain under house arrest as set out in his bail conditions.
There was a huge outcry from the public following reports that the 41-year-old man had been released on bail of R10 000 after his first appearance in the Hermanus Magistrates’ Court on Monday 9 June. Some demanded that the IT specialist be named and shamed while others demanded that he be locked up in a cell and the key thrown away.
The accused made his second appearance in the Hermanus Court on Friday 12 September dressed in a blue jean, white shirt and brown leather shoes. As part of the application requesting that the bail conditions be amended, the accused’s lawyer read out an affidavit in which he stated that as the owner of a laser-engraving business and IT-services provider being under house arrest is difficult as he often has to meet with clients, source materials and deliver his products. It was also stated that the coming months are “peak season” for generating income and that his livelihood depends on it.
The State indicated that after having spoken to the investigating officer who confirmed that the investigation has been finalised, it would not oppose the application to have the bail conditions amended.
The case was postponed to 31 October for the Director of Public Prosecution’s instructions on what platform (regional or high court) the case will be heard.
The accused was arrested in June by members of the Western Cape serial and electronic crime investigation unit (SECI) for the possession and distribution of child sexual-abuse material (child pornography).
Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, a national police spokesperson, reported in June that the arrest was made following a tip-off from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the USA.
“Investigation by the Western Cape SECI team led to tracing and locating the suspect in Hermanus,” Van Wyk stated. “Various digital devices found in his possession were seized during the arrest.”
