Cape Town - A 50-year-old pastor, arrested two weeks ago on a charge of raping a 15-year-old pupil, was denied bail in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The man, described as a”respected pastor in the community”, was arrested after police became suspicious of his vehicle parked at a deserted construction site in rural Philippi.
He also transports children to and from creches and schools in the area in his vehicle.
The teen was one of his passengers, who he had been transporting since January.
Dressed in a white T-shirt and beige corduroy trousers, the man, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, appeared anxious as he was questioned by State prosecutor Nangamso Matta.
He kept wiping his face with a white handkerchief during the formal bail application before magistrate Goolam Bawa.
Matta told the hearing that medical examinations conducted at the Thuthuzela rape victim centre in Heideveld, where the teenager was examined hours after the incident, confirmed the rape.
Matta also made reference to the affidavit of investigating officer Salome Ngotya, which said the man “dropped off the other children and then drove off to a destination unknown to the victim”.
“He then asked her to take off her winter tights and underwear shortly before placing her on his lap and making movements.
“He then handed her a white towel and told her to wipe herself with it,” the affidavit said. The man told the court he intended to plead not guilty to the charge as he was “driving to a place which sold bricks and my car which had mechanical problems cut off”.
He denied any sexual act having taken place or having sexually assaulted the victim.
Bail was denied due to the man’s close relationship with the family of the teen.
The case was postponed to October 5, pending further investigations while the state awaits DNA results.
Weekend Argus