News24 reports that next month will be the fourth time that trial dates will be set in the prosecution of a high school teacher facing six counts of rape in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court.
The trial of the 55-year-old teacher was meant to begin on Monday and continue on Wednesday; however, it was postponed to 26 November for a new set of trial dates. The accused cannot be named until he pleads to the rape charges. On Monday, the accused's attorney was not in court and sent another attorney to stand in for him. Also, the magistrate meant to preside over the trial in Regional Court 4 was instead sitting in the Durban Magistrate's Court. The substitute magistrate postponed the matter and explained to the accused that new trial dates would be set next month. That will be the fourth time that trial dates have been set in the case. The charges against the accused relate to three pupils who claim they were sexually assaulted when they were 17. Following the accused's arrest in April 2022, he was granted bail of R5,000, with the condition that he should relocate from the jurisdiction of Pinetown. The accused is alleged to have performed sexual acts with the three pupils on the school premises in 2021. He had been employed at the high school since 2008. He also faces a charge of sexual grooming of children.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Anelisa Kubheka at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
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