Chatsworth community outraged as convicted child rapists seek release from court

REPEAT OFFENDERS

- YOSHINI PERUMAL [e-mail]

THREE separate cases of convicted and alleged child rapists seeking to return to their communities have sparked outrage in Chatsworth.

A 74-year-old man charged with three counts of rape, a repeat child sex offender out on parole, and a convicted “sex pest” pastor have all appeared before the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court in recent months, raising serious concerns about child safety in the community.

Rape accused wants to go back home

Last Friday, Jeeva Akaloo, 64, charged with three counts of rape, made an application to the court to allow him to relocate from his alternate address in Phoenix, to his home in Bayview.

Akaloo was charged in May, and he was released on bail.

His attorney, Shireen Soobrathi, told the court that his health was deteriorating due to him suffering from diabetes, and that the alternate address he was living in, in Phoenix, was inconducive.

State prosecutor, Thamandri Kengan-Narainsamy, said investigations were still outstanding on the matter.

Magistrate J Gurie said while the court would consider another alternate address, they could not grant that he move back to his home in Bayview due to it being too close to the victims.

Repeat child sex offender wants bail

Convicted child rapist, Abdool Kader Yusuf, 66, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Friday, for his bail application.