Jaco Stander, the man accused of physically and verbally assaulting niqaabi, Asheeqah Benjamin was granted R2000 bail in the Paarl magistrate court on Wednesday. Paarl residents and members of the ulema packed the court to support Benjamin. The court heard that Stander has Tourette’s Syndrome and mental health problems. An affidavit of testimony was submitted by the mother of the accused. In the affidavit, she states that her son has a history of neurological illnesses, dyslexia and his emotional intelligence is equivalent to that of an 11-year-old.
Stander has been placed under house arrest and cannot leave the Paarl jurisdiction unless he is to acquire medical assistance. He is also not allowed to make any contact with the complainant. Stander is alleged to have pulled off Benjamin’s face veil while hurling insults her in broad daylight last month. He faces charges of assault and crimen injuria.
The Paarl Muslim Jamaah had yesterday urged the public to support Benjamin, with chairman Wahied Hendricks hoping to shift the focus from Islamophobia to gender-based violence.
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