Priest in court for alleged rape of teen

A PRIEST appeared in the Mthatha Regional Court at the weekend for allegedly raping the teenage daughter of a friend.

The 56-year-old married priest is facing five counts of rape and assault after he allegedly raped the 17-yearold girl five times since August.

According to the charge sheet, the church minister who is based in Mqanduli raped the girl in August and September last year and again raped her in January and March this year.

None of those involved can be identified in order to protect the identity of the alleged victim.

The priest has already indicated to the court he would plead not guilty. He also faces assault and firearm pointing charges.

He allegedly threatened to kill the victim if she told anyone about the rape and allegedly pointed a firearm at her.

The tall heavily-built priest appeared in the Mthatha court on Friday. Only his short grey hair was visible as he covered his face with a jacket as he entered the courtroom.

The court was filled to capacity, largely by members of his congregation, who were eager to see him as he appeared in the dock.

A number of church ministers wearing their distinctive white collar tabs also attended the hearing but it was not clear whether they were there to support him or the young victim.

The court heard the church was divided by the allegations with some dismissing them as a plot against him by people who wanted to blackmail him.

About 100 school children and members of inkciyo, a cultural dance and virginity testing group, picketed outside the court, calling for a life sentence.

The case was postponed to tomorrow for a formal bail application. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za