Pastor to face rape charge
2010-08-18 15:38
Bloemfontein - A pastor from Welkom has been arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl that he was supposed to help, police said on Wednesday.
Warrant Officer Malebo Khosana said Thabong police received a complaint that a 13-year-old girl had been raped in the suburb of Thubelitsha on Tuesday.
Khosana said that according to the investigation the girl had been bunking school and was being "naughty".
The pastor visited the girl's home and told her mother that she should go to his home so that he could sort out her problems.
She was sent to the pastor's home at about 14:00, accompanied by her 8-year-old brother, who the pastor sent home.
The pastor allegedly undressed the girl and performed bathing rituals on her, before he allegedly raped her on the floor, said Khosana.
When the girl got home she told her brother, who in turn told their mother.
She phoned the pastor and the police, and the pastor was immediately arrested.
Constables Bidwell Madene and Molefi David attended to the complaint and arrested the pastor. He was expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
The Commander of Thabong police, Lieutenant Colonel Kedibone Gopane lauded the constables for their swift reaction to the case.
"My plea to parents is for them to ensure the whereabouts of their children. Know what your child (is) up to and who is with your child," urged Gopane.
- SAPA