Share

WATCH | Catching an alleged sexual predator: How the arrest of Willem Breytenbach unfolded

accreditation
Willem Breytenbach in handcuffs.
Willem Breytenbach in handcuffs.
Jaco Marais

The arrest of former teacher, media executive and alleged sexual predator Willem Breytenbach was nearly a non-event as Breytenbach was nowhere to be found when police arrived at his mother's seaside home in Reebok, Mossel Bay, on Tuesday just after 12:00. 

When the police entered the house, it seemed eerily quiet.

But then, the house alarm went off, triggered, as it later turned out, by Breytenbach's mother who pressed the panic button in her distress. Breytenbach was indeed not at home, but at the offices of psychiatrist Dr Pieter Smit in Hartenbos about 9km away.

It was here that he was taken into custody. He was first taken back to the house in Reebok where he remained with the police for a while before emerging in a fresh set of clothes. 

Breytenbach was then taken to the Da Gamaskop child protection unit in Mossel Bay for processing - here he emerged handcuffed before being whisked into the building.

He is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Wednesday or Thursday.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 314 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 453 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.92
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.47
+0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.3%
Platinum
911.60
+1.6%
Palladium
1,012.97
+1.1%
Gold
2,213.47
+0.9%
Silver
24.80
+0.6%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.9%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.9%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE