File
An Eastern Cape pastor, arrested on four counts of rape and three of sexual grooming appeared in court in Qumbu on Wednesday.
The National Prosecuting Authority said it's alleged that he preyed on four teenage girls, three of whom were his wife's nieces, and who had grown up in his house.
NPA spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said the offences allegedly took place between 2010 and 2018, in the village of Natala near Qumbu, when the girls were aged between 13 and 17.
He said the offences were only reported in January 2020, after the complainants had moved away from the village.
“Previous attempts by the complainants to report the matter before were allegedly frustrated by relatives and congregants,” Tyali said.
He said the pastor was granted bail of R5000 and the matter was postponed to 6 October.
Tyali said among the strict conditions is that the pastor does not contact the complainants, either directly or indirectly, and does not mention their names when conducting sermons at his church.
