The principal of Halāwat-ul Qurān Hifdth School in Ottery, Cape Town, was arrested on Monday, November 16 for allegedly molesting one of his students.
This is the second time that Abdul Karim Davids has been arrested for sexual assault, according to Voice of the Cape (VOC).
He appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday [November 17] and was released on bail, according to Radio 786. His next court appearance is expected to be on November 27, where he will face the charges of both cases.
When the man was arrested by Grassy Park police on Monda, he was still out on bail for his existing sexual assault charge. He was first apprehended in September 2019 for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old girl, according to reports.
The case that led to Davids’ most recent arrest was opened on November 11, according to Grassy Park police Colonel Dawood Laing, says VOC.
“The suspect was arrested on 16 Nov and was released on bail. This is the second incident of the same nature by the alleged perpetrator. The next court appearance of the first case will be on 27 Nov. The investigating officer informed me that both cases run concurrently,” said Laing.
On Thursday [November 19], the school announced, via Facebook, that Davids has stepped down as principal because of the ‘legal dispute’ he finds himself in.
In a statement, dated November 18, the Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa condemned Davids’ actions and called for him to step down, or be suspended, from all positions he holds at the school while the trial takes place.
“It has come to our attention that H. Abdul Karim Davids, the Principal of the Halāwat-ul Qurān Hifdth School, has been arrested on allegations of sexual violations.
“The law and justice for the survivors and alleged perpetrator must take its cause,” said the Council.
Posted by Muslim Judicial Council – SA on Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Picture: Ashraf Hendricks/GroundUp