Giving the devil his due
2003-08-13 21:53
Uitenhage - A "blind" travelling priest is behind bars after apparently "exorcising demons" in young female followers by having sex with them late at night.
The priest, who was arrested last week, is still in custody because of the seriousness of the charges against him.
The man, who travelled from district to district with his tent church spreading the gospel to hundreds of people, currently faces four charges of rape.
But police believe many more victims will come forward once the news of his arrest spreads.
He was arrested last Thursday night in the middle of a fiery sermon in Kamesh.
A police spokesperson said his followers were badly shocked during his arrest and some even burst into tears.
But others were furious and demanded he be handed over to them so they could deal with him themselves.
He is suspected of sexually assaulting his followers - some as young as 16 - while "exorcising demons".
According to investigating officer Gloria Helefi the complainants said the assaults took place during a recent visit to New Brighton.
Some of the girls believed they were possessed and one of them was convinced she was married to a snake.
Their parents readily left their children in his care because many others had attested how he had miraculously healed them.
He apparently informed them of the procedure beforehand and said they would mainly have to fast and pray. He assured them the girls would return as "new people".
But one of the girls was terribly downcast when she returned home and eventually related the weekend's events.
According to the complainants the priest made appointments with each girl individually for "personal, nightly" visits in his bedroom while the others were asleep.
It was apparently during these sessions that sexual incidents took place. According to the investigating officer all the girls said when he was alone with them he could see very well with one eye.
He usually wears dark glasses to conceal his "blindness" and his hands are covered in tattoos.
He previously preached at Addo and was apparently ready to move to Cape Town with his tent congregation when he was arrested.
Helefi said one of the girls alleged he bought her a new pair of shoes after he'd assaulted her.
His name is being withheld because the charges are for sexual offences and he has yet to plead.