Johannesburg – Gerhard Ackerman – accused of hundreds of child sexual abuse crimes – is on the run.
Facing 740 charges including rape, attempted murder, distribution of child porn, and human trafficking of minor children for sexual exploitation, Ackerman skipped bail and disappeared.
Ackerman’s trial resumed on Monday, (23 January 2023). But on Thursday, the accused, who has supposedly fallen ill, failed to show up in court.
The accused failed to comply with a court order to bring a doctor’s note as proof of his ill health.
As a result, state Advocate Valencia Dube approached the court with an urgent application on Friday, (27 January 2023), to have Ackerman’s R6 000 bail cancelled.
The High Court of South Africa Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg subsequently cancelled the accused’s bail and issued a warrant for the arrest of Ackerman.
Narrating events leading to the disappearance of the accused, Phindi Mjonondwane Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson said after Ackerman failed to appear in court “the investigation team, comprising of Captain Banks and Warrant Officer Pelser acted swiftly and visited his place of residence”.
Mjonondwane added: “On arrival, they found that the accused moved out and sold all his movable assets. He has since disappeared, which is a contravention of the bail conditions.”
Ackerman was granted R6 000 bail by the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court in 2021 on the condition:
- that he reports to the nearest police station daily,
- he is not allowed to leave Gauteng without permission from the investigating officer.
- he not allowed to be in possession of a laptop or cell phone to access the internet.
The NPA spokesperson said allegations are that Ackerman worked with his co-accused acting Judge Paul Kennedy, who has since committed suicide, in an alleged sex ring that lured young boys.
“These young boys were allegedly sexually groomed, raped, and exposed to pornographic material,” said Mjonondwane.
“The state will work tirelessly to apprehend Ackerman and welcomes any assistance that the public may provide.”
