Crimes and Courts Correspondent
SOUTH AFRICA – A 44-year-old pastor is accused of raping his 16-year-old relative, a grade 11 student, on October 3.
The incident has left the victim’s family devastated, as they had “trusted him deeply.”
According to reports, the pastor allegedly invited the girl to his home to pray for her leg infection. Upon her arrival, “he began flirting and, despite her discomfort, he forcibly took her to a bedroom and raped her.”
After the assault, he reportedly sent her voice messages expressing admiration and urged her to delete them, claiming their relationship was a “divine connection.”
The victim confided in her family, who reported the incident on October 5.
“We never imagined he could do something so horrific,” said the victim’s aunt.
Another family member expressed anger over the betrayal, revealing past rumors about the pastor’s inappropriate behavior.
The pastor appeared in Sabie Magistrate Court on October 11, facing charges of rape and possession of an unlicensed firearm. His case is set for a bail hearing on October 17, and police are urging other potential victims to come forward.
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