Court rejects Chatsworth child rapist's request to ban media photos as new victims surface
The accused had five pages of previous convictions
SEX pest Abdool Kader Yusuf was released on parole in November last year on a previous conviction of rape
Image: YOSHINI PERUMAL
A 66-YEAR-OLD convicted child sex offender from Chatsworth, currently on parole for a previous rape conviction, appeared in court on charges of raping a 10-year-old girl.
His request to prevent media from photographing him was rejected as prosecutors revealed more child victims may come forward once they recognise him
Abdool Kader Yusuf, of Crossmoor, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for bail.
However, the matter was adjourned after the second alternate address Yusuf had provided to the court for the purposes of his bail application could not be verified.
It has been alleged that Yusuf allegedly lured a group of children from the nearby playgrounds to his flat in August.
He then sent all the children to the tuckshop, except the 10-year-old girl who he allegedly raped.
He was arrested in September.
His Legal Aid attorney, a Ms H Vudla, said Yusuf was against his photograph being taken or published in the media as he was concerned that his family members would be in danger due to the allegations against him.
But State prosecutor ,Thamandri Kengan-Narainsamy, said the matter was of public interest as Yusuf had a string of previous convictions, and the State believed more victims would open cases after recognising him.
“The accused had five pages of previous convictions. The last one is of rape. His sentence ended on November 25, 2024, and he is out on parole.
“The matter is of public interest as the State is of the belief that there are more victims that need to come forward. Children's rights are of paramount importance. There are a number of child victims. Other victims were outside the investigating officers at the time of charging the accused, but their guardians were not present in order for charges to be opened.
“There were no reports of threats against the accused family members,” Kengan-Narainsamy added.
Magistrate J Gurie said victims needed to know “what happened” (in court) so that they were free to come forward to report the crimes.
“The accused served a sentence and he was released on parole. To what extent can harm be caused to his family? There might be embarrassment to his family and the accused.
“But one can only imagine what the alleged victims are feeling. The victim in this case is a minor. The suffering, pain and trauma of the victims weighed against the harm the family could experience by the publishing of the accused photograph,” Gurie said.