Deputy principal's trial postponed again

KNYSNA NEWS - The court case of the former deputy principal of Fraaisig Primary School, accused for the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old learner, was postponed again until two-and-a-half months from now.

Selwyn Meyer, who pleaded not guilty for inappropriately touching a Grade 7 learner in the school’s photocopy room in 2013, appeared in the Knysna Circuit Court for Sexual Offences on Thursday and Friday, August 20 and 21.

Although two days were put aside for the trial, Magistrate Hermann Buhr and the state prosecutor Candice Simon only managed to question the victim (in camera).

Since Meyer’s arrest on Wednesday, August 21 2013 his case has been postponed numerous times. Four months ago, on April 15 when three days were set aside for the trial to finally start, it was postponed again due to new evidence that had to be followed up before the trial could resume. Yet, when Meyer appeared last week, the victim gave her evidence and the trial was remanded to Friday, November 13.

At the teacher’s arrest, various community members and former learners expressed their shock and dismay to the Knysna-Plett Herald, saying that they’ve known him for years and that he was incapable of committing such a terrible act.

According to the police statement, the incident occurred during school hours on Monday, August 19, 2013 when the man was apparently caught red-handed molesting the then 12-year old learner in the school's photocopy room where letters to parents were being printed. The victim and another learner had been asked to assist the deputy principal in disseminating the letters. The one girl was allegedly sent out and the door was closed.

The suspect then allegedly held down the young girl, removed her undergarment, lifted her school uniform and indecently touched her. At that moment the school's principal walked in on the scene and immediately alerted the child's mother who laid a charge two days later.

The investigating officer of the George Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) immediately started preliminary investigation, which led to the arrest of the suspect at his lodgings in Hornlee that same night. The accused has been out on bail since the arrest and has been living with his mother in Great Brak River.

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