PHOFEDI BAIL APPLICATION POSTPONED

Posted by thethafmnews on 2025-04-03 16:45:52 |

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The case of the 34-year-old Vaal pastor who has been arrested for alleged rape of his church member, a 14-year-old girl has been postponed for tomorrow (04-04-2025) for a formal bail hearing.

Bishop Meshack Molefi Phofedi, of the New Babylon Apostolic church in Evaton, appeared at the Sebokeng Regional Court today.

He is facing a charge of Statutory rape for allegedly raping the minor multiple times.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on 16 August 2024 the child, her parents and the pastor were returning from a spiritual ritual in Clearance in the Free State before

they stopped at a filling station to allow the victim to use the restroom, it is alleged that the pastor followed her to the restroom and allegedly raped her, while her parents waited in the car unaware of the incident.

Following this, it is alleged that the Pastor asked the victim’s mother to bring the girl to church for prayer sessions.

On several occasions between August 2024 and January 2025, it is alleged that the pastor would rape the girl during the sessions while her mother waited outside.

The abuse came to light after the victim developed infections and confided in her sister, who informed their parents.

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 opposed and further postponed for today.