Congregant in scuffle at televangelist’s trial

Drama unfolded at the Eastern Cape High Court in Port Elizabeth yesterday on the second day of the trial involving a Nigerian pastor charged with human trafficking.

In the court foyer a woman was seen arguing with Hawks detective Peter Plaatjies. It is understood she is a congregant from the Jesus Dominion International Church and falsely represented herself as the pastor’s security detail.

The woman resisted before forcibly being removed by police. She refused to speak to the media following the scuffle.

The pastor, 58, faces 63 charges, which include human trafficking, rape, sexual assault, racketeering and conspiracy in aiding another person to commit sexual assault.

The televangelist allegedly trafficked more than 30 members of his congregation to a house in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal. According to the state, some of the alleged victims are as young as 13.

His co-accused, two women, allegedly recruited girls and women.

The trio have yet to plead to the charges. – ANA