Women’s Month begins with a cruel irony as the Overberg prepares for multiple unrelated gender-based violence (GBV) cases to return to court. These cases are a stark reminder of the ongoing challenge of gender-based violence in our communities.

Over the coming weeks, the Overberg courts will hear cases of a businessman accused of sexual grooming and raping a minor, a local surfer facing rape allegations involving guests in his Air B&B and the high-profile murder case of Jenine Hopley. All of them are examples of GBV affecting people in the region.

While unrelated the cases paint a disturbing picture of violence and exploitation being waged against women and children at a time when the country is meant to be reaffirming its commitment to their safety.

Surf instructor

A surf instructor stands accused of raping and sexually assaulting female tourists staying at his lodge. It is alleged the incidents took place over a period of eight years. This came after his arrest on 6 June 2022 with the incidents alleged to have taken place between 2014 and ’22.

Appearing in Hermanus Regional Court on 17 September 2025 his case was postponed to November ’25 so he could appear alongside his co-accused. The co-accused was receiving medical treatment in a separate facility at the time.

The surf instructor was released on R10 000 bail. The case against him came to light when a young female laid a rape charge against him. Before that, two other women made similar claims, but would not file charges due to living outside the country and another victim apparently came forward after the 2022 filing.

All the women travelled to South Africa alone and stayed at the instructor’s lodge when the incidents occurred.

His next appearance in court is scheduled for 11 August. His case is under investigation by the Western Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation Unit (SECI).

Lee-Wayne Koert

Lee-Wayne Koert was arrested earlier this year for the alleged rape and murder of his girlfriend, Jenine Hopley. Following her murder it is alleged he dumped her body at the Caledon Cemetery in May 2026.

According to the National Proscuting Authority (NPA) Koert reported Hopley missing on Friday 1 May, three days after her death on 28 April.

Caledon police registered an enquiry following her disappearance reported by Koert, but the investigation took a grim turn on 7 May when her body was found at the cemetery.

Koert will reappear in the Caledon court on 13 August.

Businessman

On 9 June 2025 the then 42-year-old was arrested at his business premises in Hermanus. During the arrest underwear and other sex equipment were reportedly confiscated.

Charged with three counts of rape, sexual grooming and exposure of a minor to sexual content the accused appeared in Hermanus Magistrates’ Court on 22 January 2026. He remained in custody in Caledon until his regional-court appearance on 25 February.

The accused is expected to appear in court again on 24 August.

IT specialist

In June of 2025, a well-known IT specialist from Hermanus was arrested for Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). On 12 Sptember of the same year, the 41-year-old requested that his house arrest per his bail conditions be uplifted to allow him to fulfill his business commitments.

The IT specialist was initially arrested on 5 June 2025 for the possession of CSAM by the Western Cape SECI. The arrest was made following a tip-off from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the United States of America (USA). The accused appeared in court on 13 July.

His next court appearance is scheduled for 11 September.