GQEBERHA – What was meant to be a formal bail application of an alleged United States of America fugitive, turned into another postponement for further investigation at the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court today, 7 June.

During the matter of the State v Robert Lee Redd Jr. (56), Redd is accused of rape and sexual assault. His defence advocate Danie Gouws told the court that the extradition documents they were waiting for arrived late yesterday afternoon. This meant that the defence could not prepare for today’s proceedings in time.

Standing in the dock and seemingly wearing the same clothes he wore during his arrest on 27 May, Redd appeared calm and collected as the court proceedings took place.

PE Express previously reported that the South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said that the suspect was arrested at his home in Kabega Park.

“The suspect, a USA citizen, is wanted by INTERPOL on charges of rape and sexual assault reported by the victim’s mother to the San Antonio Police Department in 2017,” Van Wyk said.

Redd was arrested at his Kabega Park home on 27 May during a joint operation involving the US Marshals Service, Interpol, and the South African Police Service (SAPS), following a two-year investigation.

Police reports state that the United States citizen was wanted in terms of an Interpol notice on charges of rape and sexual assault.

Gouws told the court that he and State prosecutor Marius Stander came to an agreement to have the formal bail application on the same day as the further investigation date.

Redd will remain in custody at St Albans Correctional Centre, as the matter has been postponed for further investigation until his next appearance on 3 August.

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