A church and community leader from Zwelethemba has appeared before the Worcester Magistrates‘ court on Monday (14 September) for the alleged rape of an eight year old girl in his house and in church.

Const Ndakhe Gwala, a Provincial Police Spokesperson, confirms that a 44-year-old male suspect was earlier arrested for rape.

The case has been postponed until 21 September. The accused remain in custody.

Monday morning (14 September) shortly before the court proceedings a handful of concerned women had a peaceful picketing demonstration in front of the Police’s FCS Unit in High Street in Worcester demanding that the accused should not be granted bail.

The girl’s devastated mother told Standard Breederivier Gazette the alleged incidents occurred on Sunday (6 September) at the accused’s house and on Monday (7 September) at a local church.

According to the mother her daughter and other children gathered at the accused’s house on 6 September so that he could take their measures for their church dresses.

Ordered other children to leave

She said that the accused at some stage ordered the other children to leave the house so that he could take her daughter’s measurements.

The mother said after the accused closed the door he ordered her child to undress. When she refused he started shouting at her and beating her.

According to the mother her child eventually got undressed. He then proceeded to rape her.

“After he raped her, he ordered her not to tell anyone. He even offered to buy her a cell phone. I saw my child later that same day but I did not notice anything.”

The mother said on Monday the accused allegedly raped her daughter again – this time at church – after he ordered the other children to step outside.

According to the mother her daughter informed the other children of the rapes. These children then went ahead and told their parents.

The mother said on Saturday (12 September) the mothers came to inform her that her child was raped. According to the mother she immediately ran to the police station to report the incidents.

The accused was arrested that same day.

A friend of the mother said: “We know the accused very well. He was trustworthy. He even wanted us to vote for him. He talked nice to the people. He is well respected in the community. We never expected this from him.”

The mother said: “He should not get bail. As a mother I am angry.”