Church rape case postponed
2013-03-14 19:18
Johannesburg - A Zion Christian Church (ZCC) member
accused of raping a woman appeared in the Mankweng Magistrate's Court on
Thursday, Limpopo police said.
Police spokesperson Moses Molepo said Moatshe Molefe
would be back in court on 28 March, when his bail application would continue.
"Today [Thursday] the police asked for more time to
confirm the suspect's residential address. He currently stays in Brits in the
North West."
Molefe was arrested on 3 March after a 27-year-old woman
claimed he had held a knife to her throat and raped her the previous morning,
during an all-night prayer session at the church's headquarters in Moria, near
Polokwane.
The church said on Sunday the rape was regrettable.
"The church leadership regrets the alleged rape
incidents on the premises and will fully co-operate with authorities in their
investigation," spokesperson Ephraim Mafetsa said in a statement.
Mafetsa said Molefe was not a prophet, as was reported
earlier, but an ordinary member.
Another rape happened in June last year, also on the
church's premises.
The matter was still before a court, Mafetsa said.
The church was "saddened" by the bad publicity
the crimes had caused.
"We encourage members and visitors to the church not
to hesitate to report such incidents so that the law can take its course."
- SAPA
