Pastor accused of abusing six year old
The children led by their parents and teachers took to the streets marching to the Ogies courts, marching against a pastor who is alleged to have raped a minor.
While the President launched the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children in Phola children and their parents had already taken to the streets.
The children led by their parents and teachers took to the streets marching to the Ogies courts, marching against a pastor who is alleged to have raped a minor. The pastor who is said to be 37-years-old is suspected of abusing a six year-old girl.
The parents and the teachers said there had been several cases of abuse being reported and now they feel that they must voice their anger to the police and the justice system.
Women singing and dancing carrying placards denouncing the abuse of children near the Ogies court on Monday, November 23.
Children taking a break after they demonstrated outside the Ogies court after it was alleged that a pastor had raped a minor.
The 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children is an international awareness-raising campaign. It takes place every year from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day). The period includes Universal Children’s Day and World AIDS Day.
It is alleged that the pastor who was renting a room in the victim’s house has been abusing the child for sometime. A parent warning her children about abuse was surprised to learn that the children knew about rape and told her that their friend was raped by the pastor and was given money after that. It is alleged that the children indicated that they buy sweets after their friend was given money by the pastor.
The parents said the pastor who has been arrested ran away from Phola and handed himself to the police after he heard that the community were after him.
The poster says it all that children need to be protected not abused
Children with posters and placards outside the Ogies court on Monday, November 23.
The women marched from Phola to Ogies court
“What type of a pastor abuses young children? What has the world turned to? We rely on pastors to save our souls and give us direction not men who pretend to be pastors who will take advantage of our children,” voiced the women in anger.
The women were later joined by ANC Women’s League from eMalahleni as they sang and danced near the court.
The women reported that two other cases have been reported in the same police station and they were concerned. They say another suspect has been arrested for allegedly raping a three year-old girl and another 50 year- old suspect for a similar offence.
The pastor case has been postponed to November 25, the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
Attempts to get a comment from Ogies Police Station failed.
