COURT DENIES BAIL TO WOMAN ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY GROOMING CHILDREN
The Springbok District Court has denied bail to a 43-year-old woman after she was arrested by the Vioolsdrift Police. The accused is facing 18 charges of compelled rape, compelling sexual assault, sexual grooming of children, sexual exploitation of children, exposure of genitals organs to children, as well as rape. The state alleges that the accused who is originally from Okiep, living in Vioolsdrift with her husband, would invite children for Bible lessons and spiritual guidance to her house, and that is where the sexual assaults would take place in the shack in her yard. The parents allowed their children between the ages of 08 years to 16 years, to visit the woman as they were under the impression that their children were receiving Bible lessons.
Some of the children first reported the incidents to one of the teachers at the school in Vioolsdrift. The teacher then brought in a social worker, and after consultations with the children, the police were alerted of these crimes against the children by this woman, who claims to be a member of an established church. The accused will be remanded in custody until her next court appearance on 04 March 2024, while investigations led by police are continuing.
