Accused of defiling step-daughter, 8, and sexually assaulting neighbour’s child, 9 The families of two young girls listened in disbelief last week as Molepolole Magistrates Court granted bail to the 74-year-old bishop accused of sexually abusing their children. The suspect, who cannot be named to protect the complainants’ identities, was detained last month after allegedly defiling his eight-year-old step-daughter. Upon his arrest, it emerged the grey-haired accused, a respected traditional healer in Molepolole, had previously been questioned by the police back in May 2024 for supposedly sexually assualting his nine-year-old neighbour.He was released without charge.
However, 18 months later, when the latest accusations were levelled against him, the cops added a count of ‘indecent assault’ in relation to last year’s incident. Speaking to The Voice after watching the man she believes lured her granddaughter to his place with the promise of money only to sexually assault her walk free, the upset granny shook her head in dismay. Narrating the events of a year-and-a-half ago, the 59-year-old says she only realised her granddaughter wasn’t home at around 9pm when it was time for supper.
“While looking for her, she came from our neighbour’s yard. She told us to take her to the police where she revealed that the accused inserted his fingers inside her private parts. Both her mother and victim, who is undergoing counselling, are still traumatised,” grumbled the irate granny, adding she’s shocked the Bishop got bail.
Read Full Article on The Voice
[paywall]
“I suspect the rumours he uses powerful ‘muti’ must be true,” she speculated. For the defilement charge, it is said the elder was busted in the act, caught at home by his own daughter. The complainant’s mother, 29, was dating the accused; they have two children together. It is reported the defilement took place when the mum was in confinement nursing her last born son, and left her daughter at the boyfriend’s place in Masuaditshwene ward.
[/paywall]
