GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - A 40-year-old Plettenberg Bay man has been arrested on charges of grooming, sexual assault and statutory rape.
The police have confirmed the arrest of the man, whose second appearance in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate's Court was on Monday 22 May.
He was remanded in custody for the vetting of an alternative address and for a bail application to be heard on 2 June.
Sergeant Chris Spies, Southern Cape police spokesperson, said the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit is investigating three cases reported to police in Plettenberg Bay earlier this month. The FCS is based in George and has no representation in Plett or Knysna.
Spies said investigations revealed that a man violated two 15-year-old girls in unrelated incidents on 5 and 6 May. "These incidents were reported to police by persons of trust and a 40-year-old man was taken into custody," he said.
"Kindly be advised that the name of the accused cannot be divulged at this stage due to certain prescripts with regard to suspects in sexual related matters."
Spies also indicated that there is more than one case in Plett being investigated by FCS. "Furthermore, another case has surfaced and is still under investigation. It is alleged that the man took a group of girls from Plettenberg Bay to Knysna on 8 May where he made inappropriate suggestions to them," he said.
"The suspect, who is currently in custody, is yet to be processed in connection with this matter. Investigation into all [the] cases is ongoing."
According to Green Hearts, a non-profit organisation specialising in supporting families and victims of child abuse, the organisation became aware of the matter in early April and mobilised support for the families and victims.
Janet Harding of Green Hearts said it is believed that more than 20 children may be involved "in this sex ring" and that the abuse spans many years. She said a petition against the granting of bail to the accused is being circulated.
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