Court hears allegations against Strand CPF chairperson

CHILLING details emerged during a bail application hearing at the Strand Magistrate’s Court involving the chairperson of the Strand Community Police Forum (CPF), who faces multiple sexual offence charges involving a 15-year-old girl.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

The accused, a former police officer, Niklaas Thysen, stands charged with exposure or display of genital organs to a minor, two counts of compelled self-sexual assault after instructing the victim to massage him to become aroused, two counts of crimes injuria for asking the minor to undress, and sexual assault, including massaging her breasts.

The 56-year-old reportedly came to know the minor when her mother, concerned about her daughter's drug use, sought counselling assistance from him, seeing him as a trusted community leader and volunteer counsellor.

The victim’s mother recounted her initial interactions with the accused and her daughter's troubling behaviour: “My mother knew him because he is the community leader. My daughter at the time was smoking dagga, and I asked for help”

She said the accused “came to fetch her on July 3 and when she came home, she said nothing, but the following day, she tried to commit suicide”.