High-flying ex-church official accused of rape

● Prominent Bay businessman, who features on reality TV show, describes allegation as ‘hogwash’

Startling claims have emerged of how a young woman was allegedly locked in a bedroom and raped at a former Nelson Mandela Bay church leader’s home.

Yesterday, the prominent businessman took to the dock, where he faces one count of rape.

The 48-year-old, who also features on a reality TV show, has previous convictions of fraud and theft, according to information before the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court.

The alleged rape reportedly took place in Bluewater Bay in October and the man, who cannot be named until he formally pleads to the charge, has since been released on bail of R3,000.

Meanwhile, the complainant, who was 19 at the time of the alleged incident, continues to relive the harrowing ordeal.

Her distraught family were at court yesterday to witness his brief appearance.

Approached for comment later, the suspect, a father of seven, would only say: “The allegations are hogwash and my attorneys have advised me to give no further comment until the case has moved forward.”

It is alleged that on October 5, the man had taken the then-teenager, his own daughter, and a group of friends out to Summerstrand to celebrate their exam results.

The complainant’s mother told The Herald he had phoned her and asked if her daughter could join them.

“I didn’t think twice because we knew him,” she said, adding that it was now a decision she deeply regretted.

“Saying ‘yes’ ruined my daughter’s life,” the woman said, breaking down.

The family, she said, were congregants at Bantu Church of Christ in New Brighton, where the alleged perpetrator was previously a leader.

He was, however, ousted from the church months before the alleged rape.

The mother said after their celebrations in Summerstrand, they had all gone back to the man’s home in Bluewater Bay.

“He had rooms upstairs and downstairs,” she said, adding that her daughter had gone to bed in a downstairs room next to his.

“He [allegedly] locked the door and took the keys with him.

“Later that night he [allegedly] returned, entered the room and locked it from the inside.”

That was when he allegedly held her down on the bed and raped her.

The mother said those sleeping upstairs were unable to hear the commotion.

“He [allegedly] told her that what was happening needed to stay between them.

“I feel guilty. I should never have agreed to my daughter going there.

“If only I knew what he was [allegedly] planning.”

She said the alleged incident had become a heavy cross for the family to bear.

According to the charge sheet, the man faces one count of rape.

A deacon in the bishop’s office at Bantu Church of Christ, Mzwanele Maqhajana, said the man’s membership was terminated in January last year, be

fore the alleged rape.

“He is no longer a part of the church,” Maqhajana said.

“His membership was terminated because his behaviour was not in line with the church’s code of conduct.”

Though The Herald understands the suspect has since joined another church, this could not be confirmed by the time of publication.

However, he has over the years built up a successful business and even has a Facebook fan page.

“While he lives the high life, my daughter is suffering,” the aggrieved mother said.

In an earlier affidavit to secure his release on bail, the man said he would plead not guilty to the charge. “Prior to my arrest I have been self-employed as a [business] owner and [rent out houses].

“I have no fixed income, but estimate to earn about R40,000 a month,” he said in his statement read out to the court.

“I have two previous convictions, namely theft and fraud, for which I was sentenced to wholly suspended sentences.

“In all my matters I was released on warning and I religiously attended court until they were dispensed with.”

He said he had been in Gauteng on business when he was informed by his family that the police were looking for him.

He said he had then made arrangements through his attorney to hand himself over to the police on his arrival back in the city.

“Indeed, I cancelled all my meetings and travelled back to Gqeberha [on the Sunday].

“My attorney then contacted the police and we were told to report to the police the following day.”

After his court appearance yesterday, the case was postponed to April 29 for further investigations.

The prosecution indicated that a state witness needed to be traced and DNA results were outstanding.

Community and genderbased violence activist Pamela Mabini, who was also present at court, said she was shocked by the allegations.

“I am saddened to learn that someone I know has been accused of sexually assaulting [a young woman] who also happens to be the daughter of a family friend.

“Seeing the [complainant’s] mother break down in tears and blame herself for what [allegedly] happened was heartbreaking.

“I expected him to be someone who protects children in our community, not to [allegedly] harm them.

“This reminds me of the infamous case of [rape accused Pastor Timothy] Omotoso, and I hope justice will be served.

“My heart goes out to the [complainant] who is struggling to cope with this trauma,” Mabini said.