A man from Mamre, alleged to be a sexual predator, was expected to appear in the Atlantis Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for his pre-trial hearing.
SAPS’ Captain Hendricks confirmed the case was postponed till 11 August.
“The man, who is facing four charges of rape, extortion, sexual assault and child pornography, was expected to appear for his plea bargaining on 8 June 2021,” said Captain Hendricks.
The 46-year-old accused was arrested in March 2020 when four people came forward, one of them a minor aged 16.
NPA’s Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the accused’s bail was reinstated after he was rearrested in March 2021 for allegedly breaching his bail conditions.
“The State could not prove that he had breached his bail conditions and his R10 000 bail was reinstated.
“The court ordered that the accused be placed under house arrest for the duration of his trial until the matter has been finalised and not enter his hometown.
Captain Hendricks confirmed that several electronic devices, including phones and laptops, were confiscated upon his arrest.
He says: “It is alleged that the accused used his influence in his community to gain trust from his victims and used online platforms to lure them.
“He has been luring, trapping and extorting young girls by targeting them online.”