A Cape Town jazz star is set to face trial on charges of rape and grooming a minor, with proceedings expected to begin at the Blue Downs Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Prominent Cape Town jazz legend stands trial for raping minor
The 49-year-old musician, whose identity is shielded by a court order, faces accusations that span from 2013 to 2019. The alleged victim was 14 years old when the abuse began and was 20 when it ceased.
The accused was arrested in his Kuils River home in July 2020 and is currently out on R1,000 bail.
The musician was a teacher and mentor to the victim at a music school in Cape Town. The allegations came to light when the young man, now 23, lodged a complaint with the police.
He later posted a video on Facebook under the Say His Name campaign, describing his feelings of entrapment and detailing the alleged assault and grooming.
After his arrest, the accused stepped down from his position as the interim national deputy chairperson of the Trade Union for Musicians of SA.
The trial is expected to address the allegations against the musician, including rape and grooming a minor over a period of about five years.
