AS IT HAPPENED | Willem Breytenbach granted R50 000 bail with conditions

Alleged sex offender Willem Breytenbach granted R50 000 bail with conditions

Alleged sex offender Willem Breytenbach has been granted R50 000 bail during his first appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court.

#Breytenbach is granted R50 000 bail with those conditions. Magistrate reminds him to have no contact, even via social media, with complainants. Matter postponed until February 4 for further investigation. Tweet from @JennaEtheridge

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#Breytenbach State asks that bail be set at R50 000 with conditions. These include signing at police station three times a week and remaining in Groot Brak area. Must also surrender passport and not have contact with complainants. Tweet from @JennaEtheridge

Willem Breytenbach sits in court. (Jaco Marais)

#Breytenbach Magistrate Oliver: It is in the matter of public interest for matter to be reported on and I will allow photos of accused before and after court session. No videos or televising proceedings. No naming of witnesses. Tweet from @JennaEtheridge

Media is prohibited from taking and publishing pictures of the investigating officer, state prosecutor, and defence

Court orders that victims cannot be named

#Breytenbach Magistrate Oliver: Due consideration must be given to all involved, administration of justice and public interest. Accused also has rights to dignity and innocence until proven guilty. Tweet from @JennaEtheridge

To recap, there are two charges against Willem Breytenbach. One of indecent assault and one of sexual assault. State prosecutor Carmen Daniels says additional charges could be added. Tweet from @JennaEtheridge

Journalists for News24, Netwerk24 and eNCA have addressed magistrate on applications to take photos and video, explaining public interest and how some complainants came forward of their own accord and identified themselves. Court adjourned for 15min for decision. Tweet from @JennaEtheridge

Daniels, for the State, asks court not to grant media applications at this stage. She says first complainant was 16 at the time. First charge is indecent assault, because alleged crime in 1997 was prior to Sexual Offences Act. Tweet from @JennaEtheridge

Media executive Willem Breytenbach was arrested on December 03, 2019 in Mossel Bay.

Breytenbach was accused of rape by Deon Wigget and he was arrested after Media24 uncovered sexual assault allegations levelled against him. (Jaco Marais, Gallo Images, Die Burger)

Loots also objects to photos being taken of Breytenbach inside court, saying it is also prejudicial. Adv Daniels, from the State, says at time first complainant was under 18 and have to protect those who come forward. Tweet from @JennaEtheridge

Loots: I understand there are two charges against Breytenbach. Videotaping at this stage would be extremely prejudicial to the accused because the investigation has not been completed. Tweet from @JennaEtheridge

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Advocate Hanri Loots is representing Breytenbach. He says he has only had three minutes to consider applications by the media to take photos and video. Tweet from @JennaEtheridge

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Alleged sex offender Willem Breytenbach to apply for bail

Alleged sex offender Willem Breytenbach is expected to apply for bail when he makes his first appearance in court.