A South African pastor, Bishop Meshack Molefi Phofedi, has been arrested for repeatedly raping the 14-year-old daughter of his church member.
The 34-year-old pastor who is the head of New Babillon Apostolic church in Evaton West, was arraigned at the Sebokeng Regional Court over the crime.
He is currently facing a charge of rape for allegedly raping the minor multiple times.
Reports from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said that on the 16th of August, 2024, while returning from a spiritual ritual in Clearence, Free State, the car stopped at a filling station to allow the 14-year-old girl to use the restroom.
However, the pastor followed her to the toilet and raped her without the parents who were seated in the car being aware of the incident.
The pastor then asked the church member to bring her daughter to the church for prayers where he raped her repeatedly.
The mother confronted the Pastor and reported the matter to the police. The pastor was arrested on 02 March 2025 and made his first court appearance the following day.
The case was postponed to 13 March 2025 for a formal bail application, which the state intends to oppose.
