A 28 year old man who is leading a local church at Tshabalala near Hazyview, was remanded in custody today, 4 October 2018, by the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court for raping a minor in August 2018.
The remand comes after the suspect was arrested yesterday on allegations that he raped a 15 year old girl, who is part of his congregation.
According to information at police disposal, the man reportedly communicated with the minor on social media and requested her to come to the church, so that he could pray for her. The girl then went to the church thinking she was going to be prayed for, but the man reportedly tried to rape her.
The following week, on the same month, he reportedly called her again, this time, he raped her. It is alleged that he intimidated the young girl not to tell anyone. The news got to the victim’s family and they went to report the matter to the police. The suspect was then arrested, hence the remand.
The case was postponed to 11 October 2018, for a formal bail application.
The police at Calcutta are making an appeal to the community, particularly to the members of the congregation who may have fallen prey to the suspect, to go to the police station and report because they believe that the minor might not be the first victim to go through this ordeal.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
