Pastor on statutory rape charge gets bail

THE STAR

Justin Masombuka, 33, who has been in jail since January 19, appeared in Krugersdorp Magistrates Court for a bail application. Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng

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Johannesburg - The Kya Sand, Randburg, pastor accused of statutory rape of a 12-year-old girl has been granted bail of R3 000.

Justin Masombuka, 33, who has been in jail since January 19, appeared in Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for a bail application.

The girl’s mother handed in an affidavit, asking for him not to be granted bail.

She said she feared he would attempt to abduct her daughter or try to influence her.

He had already asked her to run away with him in text messages he had sent her before his arrest, she said.

“He knows where we live and what school she goes to,” she told the court.

The senior pastor of the church, Evans Phiri, told the court that Masombuka was a flight risk as he had run away to Mozambique after the mother confronted him when she discovered suggestive text messages on her daughter’s phone.

The pastor had returned to South Africa only after the mother told his relatives that she was withdrawing the charges.

Police arrested him as he arrived on the bus from Mozambique.

The magistrate, Maria Malet, in granting bail, said the charge was one of statutory rape and there had been no violence.

“The activity has been going on since November, so there could be an element of consensuality,” she added.

Malet also said she was satisfied Masombuka would not flee to Mozambique as there was no evidence of a job for him there.

He was made to hand in his passport and to report to the Dobsonville police station once a day until his next appearance.

He was also ordered not to make any contact with the girl.

anna.cox@inl.co.za

The Star