Alleged rapist pastor released on bail
On January 29, the Chatsworth Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit arrested a 50-year-old man for statutory rape.
A Moorton pastor was recently granted bail of R1, 000 in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court after being arrested on charges of sexual assault and rape. The 50-year-old pastor, who has been described by residents as a leading and inspiring man in the community, appeared in court, last week.
According to court documents, the pastor is a resident of Amanzimtoti and is charged with two counts of sexual assault as well as two counts of rape.
ALSO READ: Hawks, SAPS arrest Chatsworth ‘pastor’ in rape case
The incidents of sexual assault allegedly took place on April 10, 2024, at or near a mall in Westville, where the man allegedly touched a teenage victim’s breasts, and at the local church by allegedly kissing her on her neck, cheeks, eyes, and lips before ‘putting his hand inside her pants, on her vagina’. The rape charges come from two dates – June 25, 2024, where at the church, the pastor allegedly inserted his fingers into the teenager’s vagina, and August 27, 2024, where he once again allegedly inserted his fingers into her vagina, thereafter inserting his penis.
Bail of R1, 000 was granted by the court on condition that the accused does not communicate with the victim or her family in any manner whatsoever, pending the finalisation of the case.
The communications officer of Chatsworth SAPS, Cpt Cheryl Pillay, said, “On January 29, the Chatsworth Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit arrested a 50-year-old man for statutory rape. The victim is a 16-year-old female, who was a member of a church in Chatsworth. On January 29, the accused appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court where he was granted bail of R1, 000. The accused will reappear in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court on March 5.”
ALSO READ: Safety of minors in question following rape cases
The chairperson of the Chatsworth Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum, Rev Cyril Pillay, said that he was appalled by the case and that if found guilty, the pastor should be shunned from society.
“This is heart-wrenching news and it is unacceptable. The long arm of the law must take its course. Integrity, character, and self-discipline are the hallmarks of any religious leader. People of this calibre must be excommunicated from the spiritual and religious world,” concluded Rev Pillay.
