‘Sex pest’ rabbi to spend Passover in jail
Alleged sex-pest and fugitive Rabbi Eliezer Berland will be spending the Jewish holiday Passover in Johannesburg’s “Sun City” prison.
|||Johannesburg - Despite it being the festival of freedom, alleged sex-pest and fugitive Rabbi, Eliezer Berland will be spending the Jewish holiday Passover in Johannesburg’s “Sun City” prison.
On day four of Berland’s bail hearing being held at Randburg Magistrates Court, Berland’s attorney, Themba Langa argued that this was a big mistake. “He will die in prison if the state is not flexible, he needs to be kept in a police station where we have access to him.
“He is an old man and he is unwell,” Langa said.
State prosecutor, Advocate Nerisha Naidoo said the state have accommodated Berland and made him as comfortable as possible but that a line needed to be drawn.
On Thursday night, the 79-year-old spent the night at Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria.
Langa said that this was not an ideal place for Berland to be held. “He has specific dietary and medical needs.”
Naidoo argued that Johannesburg prison is more accessible and that there is also an in house hospital.
Magistrate Pravina Raghunandan ordered that Berland be kept in a single cell at Johannesburg Prison and that his wife and assistant can bring him kosher food as required at 8am and 5pm daily.
Naidoo was hounded by Berland’s followers during the lunch break who begged her to grant him bail and let him out for the Jewish holiday. Naidoo responded that it was not her decision to make.
During Friday’s proceedings Langa also claimed that Berland was in South Africa to seek political asylum but Magistrate Raghunandan asked to see the documents which proved this, however Langa said he was having difficulty getting a hold of the documentation.
Earlier in the day there was drama surrounding the case. The bail hearing could not get under away at 9am as expected because Langa, did not arrive.
There was confusion and uncertainty as several attempts were made to get a hold of him to no avail.
At one point one of Berland's supporters asked Naidoo if he could represent the rabbi because he's a lawyer.
By 11.30am Langa had arrived but an argument ensued between the rabbi's supporters and Langa in the hallway of the court house. “You're not helping him, we want him out,” said one of the followers angrily.
Langa then responded that the followers were being “rude”.
“You don't know or understand the process of the law, there is a process, do you know what it means to close the case?
“You want to be rude to me but you don't understand the law,” he said as the follower walked away from him and Langa made his way towards the courtroom.
“I don't mean to be rude, I just want him out, he needs to be out,” the follower responded.
Langa apologised to the court explaining that he had an argument with Berland.
An upset Berland was brought into the court after spending the night in Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria. “I'm going to die,” he shouted at the magistrate.
He claimed that he hadn't been given his Kosher food and medication for three days. A short recess was taken to allow him to take the medication needed.
Berland, who is the leader of Shuvu Bonim Hassidic sect in Jerusalem, fled Israel in February 2013 after allegations of sexual assault were made by some of his women followers. An allegation of assault to cause grievous bodily was also made by a follower.
He has sought refuge in several countries including Zimbabwe, Morocco, Switzerland and most recently Holland where he managed to escape after being arrested.
This is the second time he has taken shelter in South Africa following several months spent in the country in 2014 prior to his stay in Holland. During that time, he managed to evade the Hawks twice.
The continuation of the bail hearing was postponed to April 26.
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