An Islamic school principal has reportedly appeared in court on charges of sexual assault against a minor.
According to IOL, the Surrey Estate Islamic school principal and educator, Abdul Karriem Davids, 46, appeared at the Sexual Offences Court at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Davids pleaded not guilty, the report said.
The court heard that between 2016 and 2019 Davids had unlawfully and non-consensually committed acts of sexual assault against a minor female student, 15.
These included commenting on her body and inappropriate touching while showing her pornographic material.
Groped and kissed her on the mouth
Cape Argus reported in February that a sexual assault case was opened against Davids at Grassy Park Police Station in November 2019, following the incident in May.
The magistrate learned at the time that the victim, still a minor, was not yet ready to testify and needed advice.
It was reported that the accused would have groped and kissed the minor on the mouth.
The incident was not isolated, with the victim confiding in her grandfather about other alleged incidents of sexual assault, the report said.
The victim’s father was quoted at the time as saying: “I congratulate my daughter for standing up and she is strong to do what she is doing. She knows she’s doing the right thing, not only for herself but for someone else as well.
“It’s so prevalent and if you don’t take action, nothing is going to happen.”
Davids founded the Ottery-based Halāwat-ul-Qurān Haafith Academy in Taurus Road, Surrey Estate, after an internal investigation was launched by his former place of employment, Jam ’Eyyatul Qurra, into allegations of sexual harassment made against him by a staff member, said the report.
Davids resigned with immediate effect.
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