By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Neil McCartney.
Gerhard Ackerman a convicted sex trafficker and child rapist, was sentenced to 12 life terms for his involvement in a disturbing sex abuse ring operating in Johannesburg.
Ackerman appeared in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Monday, where Judge Mohamed Ismail sentenced him for the more than 700 charges he had been found guilty of.
Ackerman’s charges included rape, attempted kidnapping, sexual exploitation, sexual grooming, and possession of child pornography.
The life sentences were imposed for each of the rape and human trafficking counts, including the rape of minors.
Ismail said Ackerman was a “plainly evil man” who lured children and opened them up to abuse from other men for his own benefit.
He ran a child rape ring in Johannesburg where teenage boys were sexually exploited, linked with adult men who would perform sexual acts on them for a fee.
Ackerman is currently on trial in a separate matter where he allegedly forced an 11-year-old to touch his private parts at the Morningside Country Club in 2018.
The case was further complicated by the involvement of senior advocate and acting judge Paul Kennedy.
While Kennedy passed away before facing trial, Ackerman’s trial continued, and he faced charges related to Kennedy’s crimes. He maintained a not-guilty plea to the staggering charges brought against him.
Ackerman claimed to have new evidence and alleged inadequate legal representation, incorrect interpretation of the law as well as irregularities during trial proceedings.
“When you’re an introvert, you don’t sleep because of prison and you don’t get nutritional food, and you don’t like public speaking. If you don’t speak properly and correctly, and your Legal Aid representation fails you – you get found guilty,” Ackerman said.
“You have no resources in prison to prepare for your trial. The State has internet, cellphone, and all the resources.”
He further claimed his imprisonment disadvantages him. Ackerman said he only expected to be in prison for another three months, as he intends to apply for bail before the retrial application in November.
“You’re stuck there. The only person you see is your lawyer. You can’t message friends; get witnesses for yourself. You can’t prepare for your trial. This system of ours is broken.”
The National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said State will oppose the retrial application, which will be heard on 30 November.