A Soweto church pastor accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in Dobsonville over the Easter weekend has abandoned his bail application following community protests. A Soweto church pastor accused of the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl in Dobsonville over the Easter weekend has abandoned his bail application following community protests.
The 56-year-old accused appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 22 April 2026. The case was postponed to 20 May 2026 to allow for further police investigations.
The court proceedings drew a large crowd of community members, who gathered outside in a show of support for the child and her family. Protesters expressed outrage over the incident and called for justice.
A family spokesperson, who requested to remain anonymous for safety reasons, described the situation as “very disturbing” and said the family remains hopeful that justice will be served.
“We want the legal process to take its course and ensure that justice is done for our child,” the spokesperson said.
Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, also joined the picket, signalling government support for the family. She said her department is increasingly working directly with affected families and non-governmental organisations rather than waiting for cases to be reported through formal channels.
Reflecting on the case, Nkomo-Ralehoko raised concerns about trust within communities and the need for broader societal reflection.
“We must ask ourselves difficult questions as a society and ensure that we protect our children,” she said.
Community members echoed these concerns, emphasising fears for the safety of children.
One protester, Ladi Phofu, said the community would continue to show up in support of the family.
“We are not happy. Our children are not safe, and we will not get tired. We will come back to court, come rain or shine,” she said.
Another community member, Matinkane Mogorosi, expressed frustration with the justice system.
“As a parent, I feel that more needs to be done to ensure that perpetrators of crimes against children are held accountable,” she said.
The family confirmed that the child is currently receiving support from relevant stakeholders. She has not yet been asked to testify, as she is not ready at this stage.
The case is expected to resume on 20 May as investigations continue, with the community pledging to remain actively engaged and supportive throughout the legal process.
