Kenyan man remains in custody after alleged rape and grooming of schoolchildren

A 44-year-old Kenyan national accused of raping and grooming schoolchildren will remain in custody after appearing in the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.

Who is facing charges

The accused, whose identity is being withheld to protect the child complainants, appeared in court on 17 September 2026. He faces two counts of rape and two counts of sexual grooming.

Allegations made to police

According to the NPA, the allegations state that from 2022 the man recruited pupils from a local school and took them to his rented room in town. He is alleged to have filmed the children naked, gave them money and compelled them to perform sexual acts on him under the pretence that they would be given cellphones.

How the matter emerged

The NPA said the matter came to light after the victims were allegedly instructed to recruit other learners from the same school, which led to the information being disclosed at the school and the incident being reported to police. The accused was arrested.

“The State is opposing his release on bail. The matter was postponed to 23 September 2026 for the accused to obtain legal representation and for further investigations. He remains in custody,”

NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi

NPA response

The NPA said it views allegations of sexual offences against children in a serious light and will prioritise the prosecution of this matter, taking into account the vulnerability of the complainants.

Related case noted by prosecutors

The report also noted that the NPA recently secured a conviction in an unrelated case involving an Eastern Cape farmer, Louis Stephanus Lategan, who was found guilty of multiple counts including trafficking and rape after luring young women to his farm. Sentencing in that matter is set for 21 September 2026.

The matter involving the accused in Groblersdal is set to return to court on 23 September 2026.