Prosecution: More complainants against pastor
AState prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions revealed in court yesterday that there were possibly more complainants who had come forward claiming they were allegedly raped by Nasinu pastor, Waisake Tulavu.
Tulavu, 46, appeared before High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar yesterday.
Tulavu is charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The complainants in the matter were not related to the accused, however, they were members of a church located in Nasinu.
State prosecutor Lavenia Bogitini told the court that more women had been identified as alleged victims of Tulavu’s criminal offences.
She told the court that the women who could be possible complainants had refused to lodge official complaints against him.
Defence lawyer Tobia Ravuniwa told the court that the defence was challenging all the elements of the case, especially on the prosecution’s claim that he (Tulavu) had claimed that he had healing abilities.
Justice Goundar said the prosecution’s case was that the consent was obtained by the deception that the accused could heal these women.
He said no one had such an ability and that some women had consented because they believed in him. Tulavu also appeared before Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe yesterday for his bail application, however, the matter was adjourned.
Tulavu’s bail hearing will be delivered by the High Court tomorrow (Wednesday).
He has been remanded in custody pending the hearing.