Chatsworth community outraged as convicted child rapists seek release from court

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.

Yusuf was charged with the rape of a 10-year-old girl from Crossmoor while he was out on parole.

His request to prevent the media from photographing him was rejected as prosecutors revealed that more child victims could come forward once they recognised him.

Yusuf, who lives in Crossmoor, allegedly lured children to his flat in August, while they were playing in the sports grounds near his home. 

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, 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.

But State prosecutor Thamandri Kengan-Narainsamy said Yusuf had a string of previous convictions.

“The accused has 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 officer's office 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.

Court denies bail for convicted “sex pest” pastor

Three months ago, a convicted “sex pest” pastor from the Bayview area, who allegedly preyed on young boys from his congregation, was denied bail at the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court.

Sitham Baram Michael Andrew Chetty, 54, allegedly preyed on an 11-year-old from his congregation, before raping and sexually assaulting him in September 2024.

Chetty was previously convicted of the sexual assault of another boy from his congregation. 

At his bail application in July, the court heard chilling details of his modus operandi.

State prosecutor Dayantha Subrayadu told the court: “Chetty strategically positions himself in the lives of families of the victims, gaining their trust, and the trust of their children. The second phase of his modus operandi is to suggest that the child goes with him for the purposes of church services and preaching at church or Sunday school.

“Because he was in a position of trust, the family allowed him to do so, and that is when he was able to isolate his victim. He then attempted to test their boundaries and skillfully groom them before eventually sexually assaulting them.”

The court cited community safety concerns and lack of exceptional circumstances when Chetty’s bail was denied. 

THE POST