A 44-year-old pastor accused of raping a minor and sexually assaulting another, has been remanded in custody.
The accused briefly appeared before the Sabie Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, October 17. According to reports, both of the girls belong to his congregation.
The accused was apprehended after one of the victims revealed the rape ordeal to her grandmother. He is facing charges of rape, sexual assault and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Enraged community members gathered in the court holding anti-rape placards and chanting songs, in solidarity with the victims. Likewise, members of the pastor’s church were also present.
One community member who asked not to be named, said they are calling for no bail. “We are very angry, we gave him our children so that he can pray for them but he then rapes them. We are angry and we want to see him rot in jail”.
Sabie local pastors have excoriated the accused’s doing. One pastor, David Mohlala said such incidents break the trust between pastors and community members.
“We do have orphans, some are raised by single parents, single mother and fathers and when they come to me as a pastor, they come to me as their father, they have got trust upon me. But what has happened, it will make people not to even trust us”,said Mohlala.
READ | Stepfather handed two life terms for rape
Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa said the state plans to oppose bail due to the seriousness of the offence.
WATCH: Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa at the Sabie Magistrate’s Court
Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison Spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi urged everyone, particularly parents to swiftly report cases of these nature.
“We are once again calling on parents, legal guardians of the children to come out and report these cases because children children can’t open cases on their own”, said Mmusi.
The matter has been postponed to next Thursday for a formal bail application.
