A French national who works as a boutique manager at Club Med South Africa, has been granted R5,000 bail after being accused of raping an 18-year-old Canadian male guest at the resort on July 23.
The young man was allegedly sexually assaulted shortly before he and his family were due to return home following a holiday at Tinley Manor on KwaZulu-Natal’s Dolphin Coast.
Club Med is a French-founded international tourism company known for its premium all-inclusive holidays, which combine accommodation, food, drinks, entertainment and sporting activities.
During a bail application heard over three days, the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday imposed strict conditions for the man’s release.
The 35-year-old is accused of inviting the young guest to his on-site staff apartment after they had been drinking at the hotel bar, where the State alleges the complainant had become incapacitated by alcohol.
It was said that he allegedly fondled the complainant’s private parts and subsequently inserted the complainant’s penis into his mouth. The complainant has reportedly been deemed unfit to testify at this stage.
Meanwhile, the man’s attorney, Anand-Napaul, urged the court to show leniency and to release his client on bail, arguing that he also has rights as a foreign national.
“We must treat foreign nationals just as we would expect our own to be treated in their countries,” he told the court.
The court imposed several bail conditions. The accused must surrender his passport, remain at his stated residential address, and report to Umhlali Police Station every Monday. He is also prohibited from communicating with State witnesses or attempting to leave the country.
Pending the outcome of the case, the accused will reside at a guest house in Salt Rock, a measure intended to prevent any interference with evidence or contact with potential witnesses from the resort.
The court warned that any breach of the bail conditions could result in the cancellation of bail and his immediate arrest.
The matter has been postponed to October 5, 2026.
