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An elderly traditional healer from Port Elizabeth will make his second court appearance this week following his arrest on charges of rape and sexual assault.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, says the 71-year-old man was arrested last Thursday by members of the Motherwell Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
She says he appeared in court on the same day and was remanded in custody until Wednesday when he's expected to apply for bail.
Naidu says it's alleged that he had lured boys and one girl, aged between 13 and 18, to his house in Mgwalana Street.
She says since the man's arrest, three other cases have been opened against him.
Colonel Naidu says according to the victims the suspect said he would give them a belt, which he said would protect them from evil spirits.
She says when they went inside, he made them take off their clothes and caressed them with the belt.
They further alleged that they became very disoriented and that’s when he sexually molested them.
Acting Mount Road Cluster Commander, Brigadier Thandiswa Kupiso reiterated that community figures such as the traditional healer who uses their position to exploit the innocent and the vulnerable will face the full might of the law.
"Some of these healers are prominent figures in the community and are held in high esteem by the people and acts such as this cannot be tolerated," she said.
