He was convicted a predator that raped a young girl almost two decades ago. Then, six months after being released on parole, lured his next victim to his lair and allegedly raped her. If it wasn’t for the brave residents of Hanover Park who sounded the alarm, the outcome may have been more tragic.
This case, of a nine-year-old girl, bears eerie similarities to the rape and murders of eight-year-olds Tazne van Wyk and Reagan Gertse – both killed by men previously convicted of violent offences. The incident has reignited national outrage over South Africa’s parole system, which the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has claimed it has been working to reform for several years.
The 51-year-old man appeared in a packed Wynberg Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of abduction, human trafficking, rape, and sexual assault. The court heard that the child was heading to Madrassa when the man lured her into his home, sending her to buy milk. Upon her return, he instructed her to put the milk in the kitchen and then proceeded to lock the door.
The court further heard that the man, who cannot be named, made her a sandwich, and after she became drowsy, assaulted her. Neighbours’ CCTV footage showed the girl entering his house but never leaving. A search was conducted which ultimately led to finding her curled up in the backyard of the accused.
Acting Western Cape police commissioner, Major General Bongani Maqashalala, confirmed that the man, was originally from Hanover Park and was released back into the community upon being granted parole. He also revealed that the suspect had a previous conviction for raping a 10-year-old, raising further concerns over the decision to allow him back into the same environment.
The suspect had been sentenced in 2008 to 25 years for rape and indecent assault but was released on parole on November 26, 2024. He was supposed to be under supervision by Cape Town Community Corrections at the time of the recent offence.
DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo confirmed that parole revocation proceedings were under way and said an internal investigation had been launched into how the offender was monitored.
Nxumalo acknowledged concerns over the parole system, stating that decisions consider rehabilitation progress, support structures, reoffending risk, and victim impact. However, he admitted that community awareness about high-risk offenders remains a challenge.
Parole reforms have been under review, with a two-year timeline for completion. The department continues to consult external stakeholders, but concerns remain over its ability to prevent crimes committed by repeat offenders.
A month ago, Nicholas Gotsell, DA MP and member of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, called for immediate reform, citing alarming recidivism rates. “Between February last year and February 2025, 2,395 parolees were released into Cape Flats communities – 254 have reoffended, a disturbing 10.6% in one year,” he stated.
Dr. Shaheda Omar, Clinical Director at The Teddy Bear Clinic, condemned the government’s repeated failure to protect vulnerable children, stating: “Every four to five hours, a child goes missing and are murdered on a daily basis in South Africa, and most cases never reach the public.” She pointed to glaring flaws in the parole system and criticised delays in activating the national Sex Offenders Register.
“This child might have been spared if her community had been informed that a dangerous parolee was living among them,” Omar said.
“We have a serious gap in accountability and transparency, and the result is that children – our most vulnerable citizens – continue to be harmed.”
She also warned of the lasting psychological damage for victims. “Children do not simply ‘move on’ from trauma like this. The effects linger in their bodies, minds, and lives long after the headlines fade.”
The victim’s mother has spoken out about her daughter’s emotional state since the incident. “She was always full of life, but now she just stops mid-play and zones out. Sometimes, without warning, she vomits. We don’t know if it’s from the medication, but it’s something new. She’s not the same child,” she said.
Her grandmother described feeling an unbearable lump in her throat as the accused interrupted proceedings to complain about his alleged mistreatment in custody. “To think, my granddaughter walked into that man’s house thinking she was helping someone. That’s the kind of child she is -kind and trusting. But she walked straight into evil. Now he has the audacity to complain that he was assaulted in custody, when he destroyed my granddaughter’s innocence.”
Western Cape Community Policing Forum spokesperson Rafieq Foflonker urged authorities to reinstate direct communication between the parole board, SAPS, and CPF to notify communities about parolees living among them.
Prominent activist Veranique Benji Williams, founder of Faith and Hope Missing Persons Unit, called for an outright ban on releasing schedule-six offenders.
“How many times must we ask the same thing? How many children still have to endure such pain? How many mothers must live with that heartache before you step up? Parolees- especially those convicted on schedule 6 offenses don’t deserve a second chance.
“What would’ve happened if we didn’t show up in time?”
Lucinda Evans, a well-known gender-based violence activist, slammed the lack of transparency surrounding parolees and the failure to make the National Sexual Offenses Register publicly accessible.
“It’s time that we as the community, every time when the president and departments lies, we take them to court. Again we don’t have access to the register, we don’t know how many of these offenders are set free.
“It is shameful that we do not have access to it, you put these monsters back in our communities to rape our children and vulnerable its a disgrace that we sitting like this again. Shame on you.”
Reverend June Dolley-Major, herself a rape survivor, submitted a complaint to the Public Protector in 2022 regarding parole board accountability. “I feared something like this would happen, and my complaint was ignored. This Department must be held accountable,” she declared.
Weekend Argus
