João Rodrigues apologises to his daughter before charges of indecent assault, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and attempted rape (as indicated in the case docket) are withdrawn by the NPA.
PRESS RELEASE:
Murder accused in the Ahmed Timol criminal case, Jan ‘João’ Rodrigues, celebrated his 82nd birthday in March 2021. There might be truth in saying, “with wisdom comes age”. This as Rodrigues entered into a legally sanctioned process with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), referred to as Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) which saw charges of indecent assault, attempted rape and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (as per the docket) withdrawn against him.
The affidavit which was read out in court as part of the proceedings by counsel for Rodrigues, portrays him as a God fearing man who acknowledges the wrong done to his daughter who was a minor at the time. In the affidavit, Rodrigues takes full responsibility for his actions and pleads for an opportunity to rectify matters with his daughter, Tilana Stander (Este) expressing his love for her.
READ HERE: Rodrigues Affidavit
READ HERE: Interpreted Translation of affidavit from Afrikaans to English
As for Stander, she is clear that there will be no family reconciliation. Her vilification and been an outcast of her family for so many years for standing up to her father, has come to fruition that she was always speaking the truth.
Stander was instrumental in handing over her father to Ahmed Timol’s nephew, Imtiaz Ahmed Cajee in June 2017. This led to Rodrigues been subpoenaed and testifying at the re-opened Ahmed Timol inquest in 2017. The NPA and the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) could not locate him.
12 October 2021 marks four years since Judge Mothle issued his verdict at the inquest. “ I am not surprised on the dispute mechanism adopted by the NPA between Rodrigues and Stander. Despite us living in an era where sexual assaults on women and children continues to be the plague of our society, a loud and clear message needed to be delivered by government that this behaviour is unacceptable and will be punished severely. What does the NPA do? They accept his written apology for the sexual crimes he has committed against his own daughter with no punitive measures against him,” adds Cajee.
Cajee is adamant that the decision by the NPA to drop sexual charges against Rodrigues must be seen in context and not in isolation and that the facts speaks volumes:
MORE HERE:
- The re-opened Timol inquest concluded on 12 October 2017. Finding of Judge Mothle was that Rodrigues must be investigated for his role in the murder of Timol: https://www.ahmedtimol.co.za/ahmed-timol-2017-inquest/
- See timeline of Els and Sons events post-2017 inquest (NEW): https://www.ahmedtimol.co.za/timeline-els-sons/
- Update on Cradock Four, Nokuthula Simelane and TRC matters: https://www.newframe.com/no-slipping-through-the-cracks-for-trc-cases/
- Open Letter to NDPP dated18 February 2020: https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/an-open-letter-to-the-ndpp-shamila-batohi-investigate-trc-cases-42918821
Rodrigues makes another court appearance before Judge Monama P at the South Gauteng High court in Johannesburg on Monday, 12 July at 10:00. This will be his 19th court appearance for his criminal trial that has not commenced. It will be in most probability postponed as his legal counsel has filed papers at the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein appealing the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein and the Full Bench of the South Gauteng High Court that dismissed his 342A Application for a permanent stay of prosecution. His legal fees continues to be paid by the State.
Details of PAIA Application: https://www.ahmedtimol.co.za/doj-cd-forced-to-disclose-nearly-r36m-paid-for-rodrigues-legal-costs-at-taxpayers-expense/
History will judge democratic South Africa on adhering and implementing international Transitional Justice standards. Working on his third book, Cajee elaborates that his investigations focusses on pre-post-apartheid negotiations; the origins of the TRC; who funded the TRC and what really transpired at the TRC; events post the 2017 re-opened Timol inquest that will all provide context as to why apartheid-era victims continue to be ignored by democratically elected governments.
TIMELINE OF RODRIGUES COURT APPEARANCES:
https://www.ahmedtimol.co.za/joao-jan-rodrigues/
Ends…
