Bert van Hees
A pastor formerly attached to the church ministry known as the Christ Healing Fountain in Manenberg has been found guilty of raping two women – on different days – in a hotel room.
Pastor David Mteteleli Mnapu, 50, appeared in the Sexual Offences Court in Parow before magistrate Mandy van Leeve on Tuesday.
Mnapu had pleaded not guilty to both counts in April when his trial commenced.
Immediately after pronouncing him guilty on both counts of rape, the magistrate declared his R1 000 bail revoked and ordered that he remain in custody until he is sentenced on June 20.
The first incident involved an 18-year-old girl who had been raped at gunpoint by another man in November 2008. She attended the Christ Healing Fountain Church and had approached Mnapu for counselling in March 2009.
Mnapu invited her to his room in a hotel near Cape Town International Airport, where he raped her.
The second victim, aged 20, who had also been raped at gunpoint in the year 2008, similarly approached Mnapu.
Instead of the emotional support that she expected from him, she told the court that Mnapu raped her, then warned her that her family would die, and be cursed, if she told anyone about it. – ANA