No bail for rape accused pastor
Man of cloth faces 7 counts of abuse
Support has intensified for pastor James Thubakgale as judgment in respect of his bail application was postponed. The Seshego magistrate’s court in Polokwane yesterday postponed the matter to April 29, and Thubakgale will remain in custody. Members of Thubakgale’s Devine Deliverance Church of Christ came in large numbers to court to support their spiritual leader.
Wearing white T-shirts and singing songs, the members arrived in a sizeable number of minibus taxis and private cars as they were anticipating a favourable outcome for their leader.
The man of the cloth had been incarcerated since his arrest on February 11. He was charged with five counts of rape, one of fraud and another five of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
The 57-year-old had been awaiting his fate as state witnesses, including investigating officer Col Malesela Mogale, testified against him. Magistrate Michael Mamabolo was expected to deliver judgment yesterday, ending weeks of speculation on the pastor’s future. A large contingent of police officers was deployed to ensure that no disruptions occurred. Those opposed to the pastor also made their presence felt. Thubakgale’s lawyer, Johannes Papole, said: “The charges were brought against my client as a form of revenge by his opponents as they were no longer members of his church. The complainants sought to tarnish the reputation of my client, hence he has pleaded not guilty.” Thubakgale still has pending cases in the Mankweng regional court in relation to the alleged rapes of two minors, for which he was arrested in 2012. He was released on R2,000 bail for the alleged rapes of the two girls, then aged 14 and 16. Provincial National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the decision to revoke Thubakgale’s bail for the 2012 rape cases would be determined by the outcome of the judgment on the current case. “Should the court deny Thubakgale bail on April 29, then the bail granted to him in respect of the previous cases will be revoked,” she said.