The case against a 40-year-old recently paroled man, charged for selling young girls for sex, was postponed in the Durban Regional Court on Wednesday.

The man from Sierra Leone, initially thought to be from Liberia — whose name cannot be released — is accused of contravening at least six regulations of the Sexual Offences Act and is charged with the sexual exploitation of children.

According to the charge sheet, it is alleged that on 5 June this year "the accused allegedly received R2000 from a man for arranging the two complainants (young girls) to have sexual intercourse... " with the purchaser.

Customers were allegedly paying R1000 for each child.

At the time of the man's arrest, police Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said he had been selling children between eight and 12 years old.

However, the charge against the accused related only to two girls, aged 14 and 17.

In court, on Wednesday, the accused said he could speak a bit of English. Magistrate Anand Maharaj, however, said an interpreter who speaks Creole was needed. Once there was an interpreter a trial date could be set down. The matter was postponed to 6 November.

The accused — who was released from prison in April this year — also served time for drug trafficking.

Sapa