Community leaders have expressed outrage as a Chatsworth pastor, accused of grooming and raping a 15-year-old girl from his congregation, was granted bail of R1 000.
The 50-year-old pastor appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday.
According to the charge sheet, the pastor was accused of fondling the girl's breasts at the Pavilion Shopping Centre on April 10, 2024. On the same day, at his church premises in Moorton, he allegedly kissed her neck, cheeks, eyes and lips and put his hand inside her pants.
On June 25, 2024, at the church, he allegedly sexually molested her, and on August 27, 2024, he allegedly raped her at the church, the charge sheet read.
The pastor's bail conditions included that he should not interfere with the victim or any member of her family, and the matter was remanded for further investigations and the obtaining of witness statements.
His attorney, Priyanka Naicker, said he would plead not guilty.
“My client will be pleading not guilty to the charges preferred against him. This was confirmed as per his bail affidavit in terms of his schedule 6 bail application. He was granted bail on his first appearance at court.
“In terms of the bail application, we (the defence), had highlighted that the State's case against my client was weak. He elects not to comment in relation to the merits of the case, and his full defence will be disclosed at trial stage,” Naicker said.
Reverend Cyril Pillay, chairman of the Chatsworth Spiritual Crime Prevention Forum, said the fact that the pastor was released on bail was unacceptable.
“This is heart-wrenching news and it is totally unacceptable. The long arm of the law must take its course. Integrity, character and self-discipline is the hallmark of any religious leader,” he said.
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