Paul Kennedy ‘played vital role’ in Ackerman's sex ring
High Court Judge Ishmail Mahomed has detailed the central role played by the late senior advocate Paul Kennedy in the child pornography syndicate run by Gerhard Ackerman.
Mahomed handed down judgment in the case against Ackerman in the High Court in Johannesburg on Monday.
Kennedy, who was a co-accused in the child sex trafficking case, died by suicide in February last year - a week before he was meant to appear in court.
Judge Mahomed found that Ackerman recruited boys for Kennedy, knowing very well that Kennedy was HIV positive, including a 14-year-old boy whom Kennedy raped.
A week ago, Ackerman was asked if he saw no fault in handing over young boys to now deceased Kennedy, despite knowing that he was HIV positive, Ackerman simply replied that the boys knew what they were getting into.
“They knew he was HIV positive. They knew what they were getting into. They were fine with it; they didn’t go to have sex with him. They went to massage him, and I told them not to do anything sexual, he is HIV positive.”
Mahomed described Kennedy as an active participant in many of Ackerman's crimes.
"One is always averse in wanting to say negative and bad things about somebody who has departed this world, however, I will be remiss of my duty if I were not to say something in this regard, notwithstanding the fact that PK is not here.
“Paul Kennedy played a vital role in this matter and he was a participant in many of these crimes. He financed the transportation of some of the victims from their place of residence to Mr Ackerman's place.
“He also financially assisted Mr Ackerman with his data.
“He was the only client, according to the evidence presented in this court, where the boys made house calls and he was the only client to which the boys went to his home," said Mahomed.
Mahomed said it was no surprise that Kennedy decided to take his own life.
"When he took his life, it was tragic but not unexpected as he brought shame to himself and the profession he represented. As an advocate, he realised that the game was up and he, therefore, committed suicide.
“The court is duty-bound to say this so that the victims can get closure in as far as the role played by him in this entire dark episode.”
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