Pastor in KwaMashu, South Africa, Arrested Over Alleged Rape of 18-Year-Old Niece

A pastor from KwaMashu, north of Durban, has been arrested for allegedly raping his 18-year-old niece. It is alleged that the niece, who lived with the pastor, was raped on several occasions. The allegations have not been tested in court.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza commended police for the arrest. The department’s spokesperson, Mhlaba Memela, called on police to investigate allegations that some relatives wanted to conceal the rape after the victim spoke out. The reports describe the concealment claims as allegations that remain under examination.

Khoza said the department had called on law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into claims that some family members had tried to hide the case. She said abuse within a family, where people are being harmed, should not be tolerated, and that any relatives found to have obstructed justice should be brought before court to answer those allegations. Speaking out about abuse within a household needs protection from those who would hide it, a matter of care for the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3).

Source: Read the original report