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IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Strand CPF chairperson released on bail amid serious sexual assault charges
Niklaas Thysen was arrested for sex crimes against a minor. Image: File The chairperson of the Strand Community Police Forum (CPF) and a former police officer was released on bail following his arrest on multiple sexual assault-related charges involving a 15-year-old girl. Niklaas Thysen, 56, appeared in the Strand Magistrate's Court on Friday morning, facing charges including sexual assault, two counts of compelled self-sexual assault, two counts of crimen injuria, and exposing genital organs to a minor. The alleged incidents were first reported after the girl confided in her mother about two encounters with Thysen. The initial incident reportedly occurred at Thysen's workplace on July 3, 2025, during which the victim alleged inappropriate touching. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Following this incident, the girl attempted suicide the next day. 'He came to fetch her on 3 July, and when she came home, she said nothing; however, the following day, she attempted suicide. 'She didn't want to talk to me, and I called the accused, and she warned me not to call him; she didn't want him to come, but I thought it was because she didn't want to go back for counselling again. He came with someone else, they left, and he brought her home that evening, but then the accused asked me if she could spend the night at his place. My husband refused because he doesn't have a wife and lives alone.' According to the victim's mother, she had initially contacted Thysen seeking counselling for her daughter's drug use, as he was a known community leader. She stated that the girl had warned her not to contact Thysen after the first incident, and she initially believed her daughter's reluctance was related to counselling sessions rather than abuse. The mother only became aware of the alleged sexual assaults on July 30, 2025, following a second incident. The second alleged encounter took place on July 26, when the victim and a friend went with Thysen to his workplace. The mother stated that her daughter expressed fear of further assault, prompting her to stop all contact and report the matter to the police. Thysen was arrested on August 6, 2025, and remained in custody until he was released on R2,000 bail. During the hearing, Thysen's legal representative noted his 25-year career in the police, his role as a family breadwinner, and his work as a Tai Chi instructor and wellness centre operator. Thysen stated that he had no prior convictions, would comply with bail conditions, attend court hearings, and would not interfere with witnesses or evidence. He denied the allegations and intends to plead not guilty. Thysen also resigned as CPF chairperson upon learning of the investigation. The investigating officer reported that on July 3, Thysen took the victim to his workplace under the pretext of counselling, where he allegedly asked her to undress for a massage.
IOL News
09-08-2025
- IOL News
Strand CPF chairperson arrested on serious sexual offence charges
A CPF chairperson has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor. Image: Supplied A 56-year-old man, the chairperson of the Strand Community Police Forum (CPF), has been arrested on multiple charges of sexual offences involving a minor. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said the accused was remanded in custody following his appearance in the Strand Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 6 August. He is due to appear again on 14 August for a bail application. The State has indicated it will oppose bail. "Police arrested the 56-year-old suspect on Wednesday 6 August, in connection with two counts of sexual assault levelled against him. He appeared in the Strand Magistrates' court the same day. "Khayelitsha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit is probing a sexual assault case following an incident which allegedly happened on 3 June at the workplace of the suspect, whose name cannot be revealed due to the nature of the alleged offence," Pojie said. "The initial case was registered at Strand SAPS and transferred to Gordon's Bay SAPS as the alleged offence was perpetrated within their precinct." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the accused faces charges of exposure or display of genital organs to a 15-year-old girl, two counts of compelled self-sexual assault, two counts of crimen injuria, and one count of sexual assault. Ntabazalila added the case falls under Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act, meaning the accused must show that it is in the interests of justice for him to be released on bail. "I can confirm that a 56-year-old man, chairperson of the Strand CPF, appeared at the Strand Magistrate's Court. "He is charged with exposure, or display of causing exposure or display of genital organs to a minor (flashing), two counts of compelled self sexual assault (telling the minor to massage him to get aroused), two counts of crimes injuria (asking the minor to undress herself) and sexual assault (massaging her breast). "The incidents happened between 3 July and the sexual assault happened on 26 July. The State charged him under Schedule 5, which places the onus on him to prove that it is in the interest of justice to be released on bail. His case has been postponed until 14 August for a bail application. The State will oppose the bail application." The City of Cape Town District CPF Board and the Khayelitsha sub-district CPF Board issued a joint statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations. The statement confirmed that CPF structures would not make further public comment while the matter is under investigation, but stressed that due process would be followed in line with the CPF Uniformed Constitution. 'We have full confidence in the ongoing investigation and trust that the necessary authorities will deal with the matter with the seriousness it deserves,' the statement read. 'Appropriate action will be taken in line with our governing framework to ensure accountability, integrity, and the protection of the CPF's role in community safety. We are deeply concerned by the nature of the allegations and take this opportunity to wish the alleged victim strength and healing on her recovery journey.' Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais also commented on the matter, describing the allegations as 'reprehensible' and calling for zero tolerance for any form of abuse. 'It is essential that only individuals of the highest moral standing and integrity serve on community structures like CPFs. I therefore commend the City of Cape Town District CPF Board and Khayelitsha Sub-District CPF Board for their urgency in dealing with this matter. The law must now take its course,' she said.
