ZCC rape accused HIV-positive, court told

INLSA

Molefe Moatshe, 35, appeared in the Mankweng Magistrates Court.

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Johannesburg - A Zion Christian Church member accused of raping a woman during a prayer session at the church’s headquarters in Moria could be charged with attempted murder.

Molefe Moatshe, initially thought to be a prophet at the church, dropped a bombshell in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, announcing he was HIV-positive.

This comes a month after Limpopo police vowed to charge all HIV-positive rape accused with attempted murder.

The 35-year-old revealed his status while requesting the court to release him from custody on Monday next week so that he could go to apply for a disability grant.

“He feels that he needs to go on Monday, and he is HIV-positive, so he also needs his medication,” said his lawyer, who is only known as Ms Makhomisa.

Moatshe, who did not appear to be having any physical challenge, was arrested two weeks ago for allegedly raping a 27-year-old woman during an all-night prayer session in Moria.

On Thursday, he appeared calm as he sat in the dock, hands chained. He first appeared last Thursday, and his case was postponed to yesterday for a bail hearing.

But the State requested a two-week postponement to verify his residential address in Brits, North West.

Speaking through his lawyer, Moatshe told the court that the police should have verified his address during the time he has spent in custody.

However, magistrate Jane Ngobeni agreed with the State and postponed the case to March 28.

Ngobeni said the police should transport Moatshe to the SA Social Security Agency on Monday for his social grant application.

moloko.moloto@inl.co.za

The Star