Cape Town – A 35-year-old French national employed as a manager at Club Med Tinley Manor has been granted R5,000 bail after appearing in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal on charges of rape and sexual assault involving an 18-year-old tourist from Lebanon.
According to IOL, the accused, who cannot be named until he has entered a plea, admitted through his attorney that he performed oral sex on the teenager but insisted the encounter was consensual.
He claimed the complainant willingly accompanied him to his staff apartment after they had spent the evening together at the resort’s bar.
The state rejects this version, alleging the accused supplied the teenager with alcohol that left him unable to resist before sexually assaulting him.
Prosecutors allege the accused performed oral sex on the complainant and sexually assaulted him by removing his trousers and fondling his genitalia without his consent.
Local media reports also state that the victim and his parents suspect his drinks may have been spiked.
Severe distress
Almost a month later, the youngster is still too traumatised to talk about that night.
“The victim remains traumatised, emotionally and psychologically, unfit to testify at this stage,” the report quoted investigating officer Sergeant Sanele Patrick Gama as saying in an affidavit opposing bail.
“He is under severe distress and mentally distressed.”
According to AFP, the accused worked as a GO or “gentil organisateur”, responsible for organising activities and entertainment for guests at the resort. He was arrested on 23 July, a day after the alleged incident.
Club Med said it “takes any allegation of sexual assault or inappropriate behaviour extremely seriously” and activated its “crisis and safeguarding procedures” as soon as it became aware of the allegations.
“The employee concerned was placed on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of the ongoing investigations,” the company said in a statement to AFP.
Investigating officer Sergeant Sanele Patrick Gama told the court that the complainant continues to suffer severe emotional and psychological trauma following the alleged incident.
The alleged offences took place on 22 July at the newly opened Club Med Tinley Manor resort. The accused has indicated that he intends to plead not guilty.
As part of his bail conditions, he must surrender his French passport, stay at a guest house in Salt Rock, report to Umhlali Police Station every Monday, avoid contact with state witnesses and remain in South Africa while the case is before the courts.
Police said the investigation is at an advanced stage, with DNA results, forensic reports and additional witness statements still outstanding.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
