Bail denied for Bloubergstrand couple facing serious child abuse charges

A couple from Bloubergstrand has been denied bail by the Western Cape High Court after their appeal against a lower court's decision was rejected.

The pair faces grave allegations of sexually abusing their biological minor daughters. 

The court found that even though their travel documents were with the police, due to the nature of the charges against them, which carry a minimum sentence of life imprisonment, and due to their having a multitude of friends in South Africa and abroad, there “will always be an incentive to evade their trial”.

“They have the financial means to do so,” Acting Judge S Smith said. 

The duo, who cannot be named to protect the identities of the three and eight year old girls, face 25 counts which includes rape, attempted sexual assault, making of and distributing pornographic videos of the children, taking of nude photographs of the children, sexual grooming, using a child for child pornography, compelled self-assault/masturbation, compelling a child to witness self-masturbation, possession of child pornography, and abuse or neglect of a child.

They are accused of having committed sexual and pornographic acts with their biological daughters in February 2020 and April 2025. 

The two were arrested after police executed a search warrant at their home on June 10, 2025.

The warrant was executed when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in 2025, alerted South African authorities that the two adults linked to Dizzy’s Pub and Restaurant in Camps Bay were involved in child pornography images distributed on websites. 

The images identified the two appellants and their minor daughters (MV1 and MV2) engaging in explicit sexual conduct, the court record noted.

Laptops, cellphones, and other evidence were seized during the warrant search. The married couple and their minor children were identified from the images received from the FBI.

Due to some of the images found on the devices during the search, the two were arrested.

The minor children have since been placed in the care of a safety parent - their maternal aunt - by the Children’s Court, and the couple does not have any contact with their parents as per the court order. 

“The State, in this matter, is relying on witnesses, real evidence (video and photographs), and medical evidence on the gynaecological examination of MV1 and MV2. The medical evidence in respect of both MV1 and MV2 supports the allegations made by the State. The State has a strong prima facie case against both the appellants…

“The charges against the two appellants, by the mere nature thereof, will induce a sense of shock and public outcry, nationally and internationally… Due to the biological relationship between the appellants and MV1 and MV2, given their young age and the fact that they are placed with a family member, there is a real likelihood that the appellants, if they are released on bail, will influence and/or intimidate the State witnesses and place their safety at risk,” the judgment read.

The accused are expected to make their next court appearance at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on March 4 as investigations continue.

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