The case against a surf instructor from Hermanus accused of raping and sexually assaulting a number of female tourists staying at his lodge over a period of eight years has been postponed to the end of November so his co-accused can appear with him.
This was decided by the Hermanus Regional Court, where the instructor, who is in his early 40s, appeared on Wednesday 17 September. It heard that the second accused in the matter was being treated in a facility where he was expected to remain for another month or two.
The surf instructor was arrested on Monday 6 June 2022 in connection with incidents of rape and sexual assault that reportedly occurred between 2014 and 2022. He was subsequently released on bail of R1 000.
The second accused was added to the case more than a year ago. They cannot be identified for neither has pleaded to the charges laid against him.
The case against the instructor came to light after a young woman, who had been staying in South Africa for a few months, laid the first charge of rape that led to his arrest in June 2022. Before this, at least two other women had come forward with similar allegations. but because they were not in South Africa at the time they made these claims they were unable to lay charges. Another alleged victim came forward after the first woman opened the case in 2022.
All the women were tourists who travelled alone and reportedly stayed at the instructor’s lodge when the alleged incidents occurred.
The case was postponed to 28 November.
