A 34-year-old pastor from the New Babillon Apostolic Church in Evaton West has been accused of raping a 14-year-old girl, with the incidents reportedly beginning during a trip back from a spiritual ritual in Clarens.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa confirmed that the first alleged incident took place on August 16 of last year. While traveling with the victim’s family from a spiritual ritual in Clarens, they stopped at a filling station to allow the girl to use the restroom.
It is alleged that the pastor followed her inside and s*xually assaulted her while her parents remained unaware in the car, waiting for her to return.
The pastor, whose name cannot be disclosed at this time as he has not yet entered a plea to the rape charge, presides over the New Babillon Apostolic Church in Evaton West on the Vaal River. He appeared at the Sebokeng regional court on Tuesday, March 4, to face the charge of rape.
According to NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, following the first incident, the pastor allegedly requested the victim’s mother to bring her to church for prayer sessions. It is claimed that between August 2024 and January 2025, he continued to assault the girl during these sessions while her mother waited outside.
The abuse came to light when the victim began to experience infections and confided in her sister, who then informed their parents.
The victim’s mother confronted the pastor and subsequently reported the matter to the authorities. The case has been postponed to March 13 for a formal bail application, which the state plans to contest.
