Another alleged victim has stepped forward to speak out against the director of Tariro Model Management who is accused of raping a 14-year-old during a photoshoot. This follows an appeal from the South African Police Service (SAPS) for any other victims to come forward.
The first incident of which the suspecy is accused of occurred on June 24, 2020.
“Cape Town detectives from the Family Violence, Child and Sexual Offences Unit and the Provincial Serial and Electronic Crimes Unit reacted on information and conducted a search and seizure at a modelling agency in Loop Street, Cape Town, which resulted in the arrest of a 50-year-old man on charges of rape,” Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said in a statement.
The Maverick Citizen spoke to the family of the 14-year-old victim, who say they are traumatised by the incident.
“I must place it on record that I’m shattered. I love my daughters as I subscribe to the teachings and principles [that] your child is my child. I never thought in my wildest dreams a monster would lay his hands on my daughter, not just laying hands on her but also raped her,” the father told Maverick Citizen.
According to the Daily Maverick, an investigating officer said during a bail hearing on Tuesday [July 7] that another girl has since come forward about her own experience with the suspect, and her story will add another count of rape against the accused.
Heappeared at the Cape Town regional court on Thursday, June 9 on charges of rape, sexual assault, the creation of child porn, and the sexual exploitation of children. His case has been postponed to Tuesday, July 14 for arguments and judgment, says NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila.
Since news of the alleged rape broke, the suspect’s agency, Tariro Model Management has come under fire for what many believe are inappropriate pictures of underage girls they have posted on their social media pages. The agency’s website has since been suspended.
Picture: Pixabay