The police in Thabazimbi outside Bela-Bela have arrested a pastor aged 51, for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl at an area outside Thabazimbi town, on Monday, 17 June 2019.
It is alleged that the suspect arrived at the victim’s house at about 16:30, for a prayer session upon which he told the victim’s mother that the girl was sick. He further claimed the girl should go with him to the nearest river so that she can be healed.
The mother later started panicking when the pastor and her daughter did not return and she informed the father who went looking for them. The father found his child half-naked, running and screaming for help. The frightened girl then alleged the pastor raped her.
The Police were immediately notified and a case of rape was opened and a manhunt was launched for the suspect until he was arrested.
The suspect will soon appear before the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court facing a charge of rape.
The Police investigations are still continuing.