On Tuesday the facility manager of the Al Noor Orphanage made his first court appearance at the Cape Town Magistrates Court, after being arrested on two charges of assault (GBH), sexual assault and sexual grooming of a child.
Nkululeko Mboniswa, 26, the well-groomed face of Al Noor when you walk in, handed himself over to police early Tuesday morning.
He was released on bail and is back in court on 27 September.
Shortly after the department of social development removed 17 children and stripped Al Noor Orphanage of their licence, Mboniswa told the Daily Voice that he and all staff were shattered by the removal of the children.
Nkululeko Mboniswa previously told the Daily Voice the allegations of sexual abuse at Al Noor was ridiculous. Picture supplied
He said the allegations of sexual abuse of the minors by anyone there was ridiculous.
That same week, orphanage owner, Amina Okpara, 47, was arrested on fraud charges and allegations of sexual assault on the minors by her husband, with her assisting were said to also be put on record soon.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirms Mboniswa appeared in court. “The suspect was arrested (Monday) morning on two charges of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), sexual assault and sexual grooming of a child. He also appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate Court (on Tuesday). The case has been postponed to 27 September for further investigation. The accused has been released on bail.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Development says it welcomes the fact that another staff member at Al Noor Orphanage has been criminally charged.
Spokesperson, Esther Lewis says: "Last month the Department was alerted to serious allegations of sexual and physical abuse, conducted a preliminary investigation, and removed 17 children from the centre as a precautionary measure. The matter was reported to the police."
"The children were all placed in alternative places of safety. Al Noor Orphanage's conditional registration was also revoked shortly after the removal of the children."
"The Department will closely monitor developments in this case."