Ex-principal turned pastor faces rape charges in Pietermaritzburg

A 62-year-old senior pastor from Pietermaritzburg, who is also a former school principal, has been charged with two counts of rape, as well as sexual assault and the sexual grooming of a young boy who attended both his school and church between 2009 and 2017.

According to court papers, the abuse began when the boy was nine years old and continued until he was 17.

The retired school principal, now serving as a senior pastor at a church in Northdale, appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court this week.

He was granted bail of R5 000 under strict conditions, including that he relocate and stay away from the school and church until the case is finalised.

In the investigating officer’s affidavit, it is stated that the pastor was co-operative during his arrest and provided an alternative address in Claridge.

The accusations

Court documents allege that the man, while serving as the principal of a primary school, would call the boy out of class and rape him on the school premises at various times throughout the day.

The man also allegedly transported the boy to and from school. After the boy left primary school, the abuse reportedly continued at the church where the man was a pastor and the boy was a member.

“The accused would give the boy gifts and money. The rape started when the boy was nine years old [and continued] until he was 17,” court papers reveal.

Bail application

In his bail application, the pastor mentioned that he had been a senior pastor for approximately 30 years and was financially supported by the church and his pension.

The pastor, who is married with adult children, argued that remaining in custody would jeopardise his health, as he suffers from serious illnesses, including lupus and pulmonary fibrosis, which he claimed would worsen under stress.

“Apart from the fact that the period of detention cannot be estimated with any form of certainty or precision at the moment, I request that this honourable court take into account my health and that my continued incarceration will jeopardise my health,” his affidavit stated.

He also told the court that he was not a flight risk, adding that due to his commitment to his pastoral duties, it would be reckless of him to flee the country.

“My family’s well-being rests substantially upon my financial contribution, and both my family and church congregation rely on me for their emotional, spiritual, and financial support. I not only provide spiritual guidance and oversight to my congregation, but I also aid and assist underprivileged community members through feeding programmes, soup kitchens, and grocery hampers,” the court papers read.

‘Hope for justice to be served’

A community member with knowledge of the proceedings described the allegations against the pastor as ‘gravely concerning’ given his frequent interactions with children. The individual, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed relief that the matter was being investigated and hoped that justice would be served.

The case has been adjourned to October 22 for further investigations.