There was outrage at the Blue Downs court yesterday when a magistrate ordered that a well-known musician and mentor accused of raping a teenage boy for seven years NOT be identified in the media.
Tempers flared after the 48-year-old jazz maestro accused of sexual assault and rape was released on R1000 bail.
Outside court, angry protesters accused the courts of “protecting a paedophile”.
The accused evaded the media by being smokkeled in a white bakkie from the back of the courthouse to the front, where a white BMW waited for him several metres from the court entrance.
About 20 people protested outside court, waving placards that read: “No bail, go to jail!”, “Respect my existence, or expect my resistance” and “No bail for rapists”.
Caroline Peters of the Cape Flats Women’s Movement says they are disgusted by the low bail and three-month postponement of the case.
“Justice delayed is justice denied, what’s the rush to get him out so quickly, this is not justice.
“I don’t know why this man is being protected like this.”
The popular musician and pianist was arrested at his Kuils River home on Friday after a 21-year-old former student made a case in June, and spent the weekend behind bars.
The man, who was the director of the Cape Music School until Friday, is accused of sexually grooming, raping and sexually assaulting the young man from the age of 14 up until last year.
The alleged victim is now 21 years old and according to his father, who spoke to the Daily Voice on his behalf, his son is still traumatised and it took a lot of courage to speak out.
The dad said the accused was a close family friend who often gave his son a lift to music school.
Court proceedings were delayed after eNCA and African News Agency brought an application to film and take photographs of the accused.
The magistrate granted the application, but under strict conditions, including that the identity of the accused cannot be made public until his next court appearance on 30 October.
The attorney representing the accused objected to eNCA’s request as the accused had not yet pleaded.
The accused wore a grey and white hoodie, jeans and a mask, and stared blankly ahead while clutching a purple fleece blanket.
His lawyer read out a statement about his financial situation on his behalf, saying: “Up until 24 July, I was the director of the Cape Music Institute. I earn R17 000 a month and pay a bond, a car and school fees. The (bail) amount I can afford is R1000.”
As part of his bail conditions, the accused cannot be in Kuils River or have contact with any of the witnesses.
The matter was postponed until 30 October.
National Prosecuting Authority Regional Spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says the matter is still under investigation: “More charges are likely to be added as the investigation continues.”
Meanwhile, Caroline slammed the accused for allegedly abusing his position of power: “Male rape is still a taboo in our communities, this is exploiting a vulnerable person using the power he had over him, rape is not about sex it’s about power.
“Boys think we will think they are moffies if they speak out, the shame that goes with this is even worse. They torture themselves with questions about their sexuality and masculinity.”
“Maybe it’s time we speak openly about male rape - rape is rape!”