Alleged child sex ring mastermind wanted a gun to take his own life, court told

Gerhard Ackerman, the man accused of running a child sex ring, allegedly tried to find a firearm to shoot himself because he didn’t want to go to jail. 

This was revealed in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Monday. 

Ackerman is standing trial on hundreds of charges related to a sex ring allegedly involving the trafficking of young children for clients who would then sexually abuse them.

Ackerman went missing on Thursday after failing to appear in court. 

He had told his defence attorney that he was sick. 

However, on Friday, it emerged that he had left his home and sold his moveable assets. 

READ | Ex-Rondebosch Boys’ Prep teacher wanted for sex crimes in UK arrested for historical abuse in Cape Town

He was found on Sunday and re-arrested.

Wearing a dirty white T-shirt and short pants, with visible injuries on his knees and forehead, Ackerman listened to statements read out by the State.

Gerhard Ackerman, who is accused of running a child sex ring, sits in the dock in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on 30 January, 2023. Photo: Alex Mitchley/News24

News24

The investigating team collected these statements during their search for Ackerman. 

One of Ackerman’s acquaintances, who knew him as Dante, said he saw Ackerman on Thursday. 

He said the suspected child sex ring mastermind told him he had sold all his belongings and was moving to Cape Town. 

Ackerman also allegedly said he needed a gun to kill himself because he didn’t want to go to jail. 

The trial is continuing.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won’t be billed.