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A 51-year-old Eastern Cape pastor and a 66-year-old woman, who allegedly arranged a marriage between the pastor and her 15 -year-old granddaughter, have appeared in the Libode Magistrate's Court.
NPA's Regional Spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, says the pastor, who elected to be represented by a private attorney at Thursday's appearance, is charged with statutory rape, statutory sexual assault and abduction.
Tyali says the maternal grandmother of the victim, who is facing a charge of compelled rape, was granted R500 bail while the pastor was remanded in custody.
He says they were arrested on Tuesday after the girl was rescued by police at the pastor’s place of residence at KwaMlomo village in Libode.
The Grade 8 learner had allegedly been the “wife” of the pastor since leaving home on the 11th of last month.
She’s currently being looked after at a place of safety.
The pastor will be back in court on the 8th of July to apply for bail.
