State opposes bail for Nigerian orphanage manager

The manager of a Cape Town orphanage, who faces fraud and corruption allegations, allegedly told a whistleblower that she would flee SA forever if things went wrong for her, the Cape Town Magistrate's Court heard yesterday. Opposing bail, prosecutor Adiel Jansen told Magistrate Reaz Khan that the witness had made a detailed statement to this effect. Reading a portion of the statement, he said, '(The accused) told me that if things don't go right for her in SA, she is moving back to Nigeria with her husband ... and will never return to SA.' Defence lawyer Andre Johnston wanted to know the identity of the witness as they would dispute their evidence, notes News24. 'I want to get proper instructions as to if there is some or other motive held against this accused. And I strongly suspect there is.' The accused faces charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and contravening the Immigration Act. She is not being named as she also faces potential sexual offence charges, the prosecution said during her first appearance. The Social Development Department removed 17 children from the centre after allegations of physical and sexual abuse surfaced. Last week, a second employee of the orphanage was arrested, this time for sexual assault, the sexual grooming of a child and two charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said. The 26-year-old was released on bail and would appear in court again on 27 September. Jansen argued that not only were there indications that she would flee, there was also a question mark around her income, and she had a previous fraud conviction and suspended sentence. He said she had two South African passports. Johnston countered saying the presumption of innocence was important. Bail judgment is expected tomorrow.