Pastor arrested for teenager’s death
The uncle also confirmed that the deceased's mother was present in the church from Wednesday to Sunday when the incident happened.
A teenage girl died, after she was allegedly tied up and beaten by a pastor over three days in KwaNzimakwe recently.
The 17-year-old and four of her friends whose parents suspected they were demon possessed, were taken to a nearby church to have the demons removed.
The dead girl’s uncle told Fever that the girls were taken to the pastor on May 25 and they only returned on May 29 after his niece died. He said in the church, the girls’ hands and feet were tied, adding that they were also partially naked. He added that the girls were not only beaten but salt was put in their noses and they were deprived of food and water.
The uncle also confirmed that the deceased’s mother was present in the church from Wednesday to Sunday when the incident happened.
“The mother sent the child to the church after she saw that she was disturbed, and she was confident that the child would heal. When the deceased’s brother went to check on his sister in the church and found that the situation was terrible, he asked the pastor to release his sister but he refused, and said the child’s demons were too powerful,” added the uncle. The mother returned home on the Sunday and said the child had died.
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza said she does not understand as the mother was not only present, but also quiet while the child was going through the trauma.
The department found out about the incident on June 2 after it visited Bheki High School for a Child Protection awareness programme.
Principal of Bheki High School, Grace Mavundla, asked MEC Khoza to come to the school and speak to the pupils because a number of children could have gone through the same thing, but incidents were never reported because no one died.
Speaking to the deceased’s family, MEC Khoza said the death of a child is always tragic, adding that they are calling on SAPS to serve justice for the teenager.
KZN police spokesperson, Brigadier Jay Naicker, said a 40-year-old pastor was arrested on charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.
Naicker said the man appeared before the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court on Monday and the case was remanded for June 20 for a bail application.
Meanwhile, iNkosi Bhekizizwe Nzimakwe of the Nzimakwe Traditional Council said he is always trying to solve battles between Christians in the area.
“We need to pray for Christians in KwaNzimakwe. Condolences to the girl’s family,” said Nzimakwe.
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