Case against Model agency boss accused of rape and sexual assault continues

African News Agency (ANA)

Case against Model agency boss accused of rape and sexual assault continues

Closing arguments in the case against Model agency boss Dawie de Villiers continue on Wednesday in the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge.

The founder of Modelling South Africa (PTY) is accused of 38 counts of rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, sexual grooming, possession and accessing of child pornography as well as fraud and theft. The charges date back to 2010

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

On Tuesday, Prosecutor Arveena Persad recalled that earlier during the trial an alleged rape victim cried throughout her testimony and told the court that she would not have been able to continue in that manner for about three days if she had been lying.

Persad argued that De Villiers used his modeling agency to have access to his victims, some of whom have accused him of rape, sexual assault and fraud.

The State said there was evidence that was brought forward regarding sexual assault charges, where De Villiers allegedly pressed himself against one of his models and put his hands up her skirt. In addition there was evidence from testimonies of people who were defrauded by De Villiers.

However, De Villiers claims the charges and evidence before the court are all part of a conspiracy against him.

Advocate Jacques Pienaar, for De Villiers, said the alleged rape victim only said she had been raped because she was under 16 and not because the sexual encounters were against her will.

Pienaar said when he asked the alleged victim what happened during the third sexual encounter she couldn’t answer.

The advocate said that the complainant who alleged that De Villiers pressed himself against her and put his hands under her skirt was lying. He said she was “a single witness”.

Pienaar also urged the court to acquit his client on the charge of exposing his children to pornography.

The defence lawyer told the court that all the people that brought charges against his client “were lying”.

The matter continues Wednesday morning.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCEAfrican News Agency (ANA)