Bishop Zondo rape, assault case postponed
Trial did not proceed as new lawyers appointed
The rape case of Bishop Stephen Zondo has been postponed to September 14 to allow his new lawyers to acquaint themselves with his matter.
Zondo, 55, the founder of Rivers of Living Waters Life Ministries in the Vaal, appeared briefly in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Monday where the trial was expected to resume.
However, the trial could not proceed as he had changed his lawyers.
The well-known bishop is alleged to have raped and indecently assaulted nine women, luring some of them under the pretext of praying for them.
An indictment prepared by the NPA alleges that Zondo raped and indecently assaulted eight women and a minor, with some of the incidents happening at his church premises.
Some of the victims are said to be Zondo’s relatives whose family members tried to address one of the incidents through a meeting.
The indictment further shows that some of the victims were members of the church who were lured to Zondo under the guise that the bishop wanted to pray for them.
The rape incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2015 and 2018, while an indecent assault charge involving a then child who was eight or nine years old is said to have been committed in 1980.
A group of church members protested outside the court, advocating for Zondo’s innocence. They held placards written “The Body of Christ is under attack”. Others held placards written “You cannot curse what God has blessed”.
“Cowards must turn back, we the brave one will forge ahead,” the congregants sang.