A Club Med South Africa employee accused of rape and sexual assault has told the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court that the encounter was consensual.
The 35-year-old French national, who cannot be named before pleading, denied the allegations in a detailed bail affidavit. He has indicated that he intends to plead not guilty.
Accused gives his version of the night
According to IOL, the accused said he met the 18-year-old guest at the resort’s main bar and later invited him to a staff apartment after the bar closed.
He claimed the teenager agreed to go with him, initiated the sexual encounter and removed his own trousers. The accused said he performed oral sex but stopped immediately when the guest asked him to stop.
His version directly disputes the State’s case that the sexual acts happened without consent.
State says guest was unable to resist
Investigating officer Sergeant Sanele Patrick Gama said in an affidavit that the teenager had been drinking with the accused before being taken to the staff accommodation.
The State alleges that the guest was given enough alcohol to leave him “paralysed” and unable to resist. The charge sheet lists one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Gama said the teenager remains severely distressed and is not currently fit to testify. He added that video footage would form part of the evidence.
Bail granted under strict conditions
The accused was granted R5,000 bail after an application heard over three days.
He must surrender his French passport, remain at a Salt Rock guest house and report to the Umhlali police station every Monday. He may not contact State witnesses or leave South Africa.
The court heard that he was suspended on full pay after his arrest and barred from entering the resort or contacting staff and guests about the case.
Police said the investigation is close to completion. Outstanding work includes further consultation with the complainant, additional statements, blood and urine test results and a DNA report.
The case continues as the court weighs two sharply different accounts of what happened inside the staff apartment.
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