Update
PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The state is currently amending the charge sheet of a 39-year-old Plettenberg Bay man allegedly involved in a sex ring involving victims between the ages of 13 and 16 years-old, to be presented to the court next week.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the move to Knysna-Plett Herald and said the amended charge sheet and preferred charges against the accused will be presented to court on Monday 19 June.
The bail hearing is currently underway in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate's Court and will continue on Monday 19 June.
The charges include charges of Sexual Assault (contravention of Section 5 of Act 32/2007; Sexual Exploitation of Children (contravention of Section 17 of Act 32/2007); Statutory Rape (Contravention of Section 15 of Act 32/2007 Consensual Sexual Penetration of Child Under Age of 16 years); and the Prevention and Combatting of Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013 – Trafficking in Persons.
Ntabazalila said the State will amend the charge sheet and the court will be advised of the amended charge sheet and preferred charges against the accused. This will change the bail schedule from five to Schedule 6.
In a Schedule 6 bail application, the onus is on the accused person to provide evidence which satisfies the court that exceptional circumstances exist which, in the interest of justice, permits the accused to be released.
"The difference between Schedule 5 and six is thus that there must be exceptional circumstances present in a Schedule 6 bail application," said Ntabazalila.
"As the State is busy amending the charge sheet, it cannot confirm the number of victims at this stage but can confirm that the victims are between the ages of 13 – 16 yrs. The State will oppose bail and reasons for that will be provided during the further evidence of the Investigating Officer, Sgt Jacobs. The Prosecutor will also argue reasons for opposing bail to the magistrate."
READ MORE: Alleged sex ring uncovered in Plett
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
