Alleged child sex predator's trial underway in Makhanda

The case against 65-year-old Lukas Rudman is underway in the High Court sitting in Makhanda. 

According to the charge sheet, the youngest rape survivor was just 13 years old during the commission of the alleged crimes, which are believed to have taken place between September and October 2021. 

He faces 11 charges, including four counts of rape as well as five charges of human trafficking. 

The charge sheet lists five complainants who were between the ages of 13 and 18 at the time as well as a total of 34 state witnesses. 

When Rudman made his appearance at the Somerset East Magistrates Court in October 2022, fuming community members described the case "as one of the worst in the town’s history," alleging "there were more young victims who were afraid to come forward". 

The State says the alleged sexual predator enticed the young girls to visit his home and gave them gifts, money, cell phones, food, alcohol, cigarettes, and dagga. 

It charges that this was with the intention of "sexually exploiting them". 

The charge sheet details the lewd acts he’d allegedly performed after giving the girls food and alcohol, and on at least one occasion, dagga. 

It’s also alleged that, while intoxicated, some of the young girls slept over at Rudman’s house on at least two occasions. 

Rudman was released on R1000 bail in October 2022 pending a High Court date. 

The rape trial finally kicked off on 20 March. 

Speaking outside court on the day Rudman got bail, ANC branch executive member, Dr Mvuso Nkcoslwana, said the community was upset at the fact that Rudman had been released on bail. 

"This person has caused so much trauma to our children, they are living in fear and cannot even play outside. 

They fear they will become one of his long list of victims," he said. 

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