A local pastor in Matangari Tshiawelo, alleged to have raped an 11-year-old girl, sighed with relief when the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court granted him bail.
Pastor Samuel Mawela Ngwana (66) of the Unity Church in Khubvi was granted bail of R3,500 on Tuesday, 25 November, under strict conditions.
He is alleged to have raped a girl who had visited his spaza shop in Matangari Tshiawelo a few weeks ago.
Ngwana was represented by Adv Rinae Tshikovha, who read his bail application, submitted in the form of an affidavit. The application was initially heard on Monday, 17 November, but was postponed overnight because of time constraints. Judgment was delivered on Tuesday, 25 November.
In granting bail, the court noted that the state had not adduced evidence to substantiate its submissions. The court also emphasised that a bail hearing was not a trial and observed that, at the age of 66, Ngwana was not considered a flight risk. The court further took into account his diagnosis of diabetes and the need for regular medication.
Among the conditions of his bail are that he must not return to his home village, Matangari; he must report to the Thohoyandou police station twice a month on Fridays; and he must not interfere with state witnesses.
Adv Tshikovha expressed relief that his client had been released. "We are happy that the court took the right decision to release him on bail. What we are left with now is preparing for the trial," she said.