An apparently "respected" pastor and school-governing-body member is behind bars after two girls — aged 13 and 14 — accused him of luring them into his home with food before allegedly raping them.
The 50-year-old pastor from Duthuni outside Thohoyandou was arrested on Sunday, following mounting concern from neighbours who had watched a steady stream of young girls entering his home alone.
The arrest adds to a growing list of religious leaders facing rape charges in Limpopo, raising alarm about predators using positions of trust to target vulnerable children.
In the first case, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped on 24 June after going to the suspect's home to ask for sugar cane. Two months later, on 26 September, a 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped after the pastor had called her inside as she walked past his property.
The Family and Child Sexual Offences Unit in Thohoyandou effected the arrest after cases were opened on 31 October. The suspect appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, following technical delays. His case was postponed to 14 November for profiling.
Vhembe SAPS spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi said allegations were that the girl was passing by the suspect's home when the suspect had called her inside and he had allegedly raped her.
"Cases were opened on Friday 31 October, but the suspect was only arrested on Sunday, 2 November. He was supposed to have appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Monday, 3 November, but due to technical glitches he only appeared in court on Tuesday, 4 November. His case was postponed to 14 November for profiling. We cannot rule out the possibility of more charges being added as more victims might come to the fore," he said.
A neighbour, who asked not to be identified, said residents had long harboured suspicions about the pastor's behaviour.
"Many minor girls might have fallen prey to the pastor. Day in and day out, young girls would sneak into this man's house and the most concerning thing is that he stays alone. We have heard that he even cooks soft porridge for them and even gives them cookies and sugar canes. We suspect something bad could be happening behind closed doors. We are worried that the man is a member of the school-governing body at a local school, who is supposed to care for the learners," said the woman, who did not want to be identified.
The pastor cannot be named to protect the identity of the minors.