Karate coach pleads guilty to sex charges

2012-11-19 17:22

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Johannesburg - A karate coach has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of sexual assault in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court, the National Prosecuting Authority said on Monday.

Gauteng spokesperson Phindile Louw said the 68-year-old coach pleaded guilty on Friday.

"The accused pleaded guilty on 10 counts of sexual assault. However, no plea bargaining was reached," she said.

"Arguments will be heard in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court and the court will make a decision on his sentence."

Louw said the date has not been set yet.

Instructor for 43 years

The Fourways dojo owner is accused of inappropriately touching 11 of his students and former students. One woman claims he raped her as a teenager. His youngest accuser is eight.

The man, who has been a karate instructor for 43 years, was arrested last year when four of his students opened cases at the Douglasdale police station.

Louw said the charge of rape was dropped by the NPA in Gauteng as it happened in a different area.

"As the NPA in Gauteng, we only have jurisdiction on cases that happen in our province. The rape happened outside our jurisdiction."

- SAPA