Sabie pastor accused of raping two teenagers appears in court
The case has been postponed to November 7 for bail judgement and he was remanded in custody.
A 44-year-old pastor accused of raping and sexually assaulting two teenagers from his congregation, appeared in the Sabie Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, October 24.
He was arrested after one of the girls revealed their ordeal to her grandmother.
A firearm and ammunition were found in his house during his arrest. It is alleged that the incident occurred at the pastor’s residence on October 2. The accused is facing charges of rape, sexual assault and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to the Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, the case has been postponed to November 7 for bail judgement.
“The accused is remanded in custody pending the outcome of his bail application.”
During the suspect’s previous court appearance on Thursday, October 17, Nyuswa said: “Due to the seriousness of the offence, the State plans to oppose bail in the matter since this is a Schedule 5 offence,” she said.
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On the same day, some congregation members protested outside the court, holding anti-rape placards and calling for the pastor’s bail to be denied.
Sabie Ministries Forum’s chairperson, Pr David Mohlala, said what happened will result in parents not trusting church leaders with their children.
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“We cannot hide things forever. The parents regard us pastors as fathers and when they send their kids to church, they know they are sending them to parents. In our churches, we have orphans, but because of what has happened, the people will no longer trust us with them,” Mohlala said.
