Willem Breytenbach, a former teacher and journalist, has pleaded guilty to several charges related to inappropriate conduct spanning decades.
Breytenbach, who was arrested in 2019 in Hartenbos, South Africa, admitted to seven charges of indecent assault and three charges of sexual assault.
The accused, who was out on R50 000 bail during earlier proceedings, was taken into custody after being apprehended at a psychologist’s office in the Garden Route. Breytenbach was reportedly visiting his mother in the area when he was arrested. The alleged offences took place between 1989 and 1994.
Breytenbach’s crimes were brought into public view after author, copywriter and podcaster Deon Wiggett revealed his own experience of being assaulted by Breytenbach in the 1990s during an episode of Wigget’s award-winning podcast series, My Only Story.
The former Media24 journalist, who had also worked in digital media, acknowledged the charges against him in court.
‘I plead guilty, your worship,’ he said as the charges were read out. Three of the charges were dropped. The incidents that led to his guilty plea span a range of years, from his time as a teacher in the 1990s to more recent interactions with individuals in his workplace and beyond.
Breytenbach’s digital marketing business shut down following the exposure, and he fled Cape Town for a quieter life in Reebok, a town near Mossel Bay, as first reported by the Mossel Bay Advertiser.
At the heart of the case, Breytenbach explained his confusion at the time, stating that he did not believe his actions were criminal unless there was explicit physical contact. He later acknowledged, however, the wrongful nature of his behaviour. Breytenbach, through his legal representative, read a statement expressing remorse for his actions.
‘I deeply regret what I have done,’ he said, addressing the court and noting his longstanding shame over his behaviour.
In his explanation of the charges, Breytenbach detailed several incidents, including a ‘massage’ of a student’s stomach while he was a hostel manager in 1993. He admitted that while he did not cross further boundaries with the student, his actions were illegal. Breytenbach described his departure from teaching, citing a growing realisation of his unhealthy inclinations.
News24 reports that after leaving the teaching profession, Breytenbach continued his career in digital media. However, his interactions with a 17-year-old online acquaintance whom he believed was older led to a further assault charge.
The boy, whom Breytenbach had met in a chatroom for men, visited him at his Media24 office, and later, Breytenbach invited him to his home. Although Breytenbach thought the boy was older and consenting, he admitted that the assault was wrong, as the boy was under age.
News24 reports Breytenbach’s psychologist, Dr Stephanus van Zyl, provided testimony in support of a reduced sentence, drawing from the 78 therapy sessions they held over five years. He explained that he first encountered Breytenbach in the hospital following a ‘serious suicide attempt,’ with Breytenbach expressing frustration over still being alive.
Dr van Zyl also shared that Breytenbach had been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, conditions exacerbated by untreated prior depression, intense media scrutiny and being publicly branded as a ‘sex pest.’
As reported by News24, ‘He was at a loss as to how to move forward,’ said Dr van Zyl. Sentencing hearings will resume on Tuesday.
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