Residents of Mutsha Khwekhwe have declared that a fugitive pastor accused of raping two minors is no longer welcome in their village, as anger and outrage continue to grip the community.
In an explosive community meeting held last week following revelations of the alleged sexual assaults on two children, a boy and a girl, both aged 8, villagers resolved that neither the pastor nor his church should ever be allowed to operate in the area again.
“We cannot continue living with a molester in our midst,” community leader Mr Stanford Manakela said.
The pastor, who went on the run after the rape allegations surfaced, is accused of raping the two minors at his church between 1 April and 27 May this year. A further case of rape involving another girl, aged 9, has since been added to the docket.
As news spread that the suspect had fled, enraged residents turned their fury on the church building, demolishing it and reducing it to rubble.
“We, during a meeting of all stakeholders in the community held at the local sportsground, resolved as a community that we will assist police in the search. We heard rumours that he was spotted in the Tshakhuma area, but community members chased him towards the mountains. This could not be confirmed when we made enquiries,” said community leader Mr Stanford Manakela.
During the meeting, traditional leadership confirmed that the church was not registered and condemned the alleged crimes. The case has reopened old wounds in the community, which is still reeling from past incidents of gender-based violence.
The prophet, identified by police as Prophet Ndivhuwo Magodi, was released from prison in 2019 after serving time for a sexual offence. He was later expelled from his home village of Tshakhuma upon his release and subsequently took refuge in Mutsha Khwekhwe.
Makhado Community Safety Forum representative Mr Saddam Masutha described the allegations as deeply disturbing.
“The worst part is that the suspect was already on parole for a sexual offence. This highlights the need for proper screening of people seeking residence in our communities,” he said.
Vhembe police spokesperson Captain Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that the manhunt for Magodi was ongoing. He urged members of the public with information about Magodi’s whereabouts to contact the investigating officer, Sgt Elijah Mabasa, on 082 351 5219.
“We also appeal to him to hand himself over,” Dathi said.