- A Bishop from St Angel's Church in Khayelitsha is accused of raping at least three women from his congregation.
- Supporters of the Bishop clashed with community members who were protesting outside the church.
- South Africans are expressing frustration over yet another religious leader abusing his power.
Western Cape – Let me tell you a story that’s got the people of Khayelitsha talking. A religious leader from this community has been arrested for allegedly assaulting one of his congregants. But here’s the thing: that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This Bishop, who serves at St Angel's Church in the Western Cape township, is facing some pretty serious allegations from at least three women who say they were victims of his predatory behavior.
Now, let’s break it down. The accusations against this man go beyond just one incident. Two of the women who came forward say that the Bishop is actually the father of their children. That’s right—he’s accused of not just raping them but also fathering kids with them. But hold on, there’s more. The Bishop hasn’t been formally charged with rape yet, but he’s already facing charges for allegedly stabbing one of the women who dared to take a stand against him.
Young Women Share Their Heartbreaking Stories
Two brave women have stepped forward to share their harrowing experiences. One of them says that the Bishop began assaulting her when she was just 16 years old. She claims that he repeatedly raped her and even beat her when she refused to sleep with him. This isn’t just about physical violence—it’s emotional abuse too. She says she suffered two miscarriages because of the violence inflicted upon her. Can you imagine the trauma she’s endured?
Read also:800 Wits Students Get A Fresh Start As Their Debts Are Cleared
Then there’s another victim, who says the Bishop first assaulted her when she was feeling unwell and had taken a gap year from school. She explains that he used manipulative tactics, telling her that the ancestors had spoken to him and said that sleeping with him would cure her. How twisted is that? This is not just about a man taking advantage of his position—it’s about exploiting vulnerable young women who trusted him.
Community Members Stand Up to the Bishop’s Supporters
The community in Khayelitsha wasn’t going to stay silent. On Sunday, January 26, 2025, angry residents marched to the church demanding it be shut down. But here’s the kicker: they were met with resistance from the Bishop’s supporters. These supporters have gone so far as to accuse the victims of lying. Really? In a world where we should be supporting survivors, they’re choosing to side with the alleged predator. It’s heartbreaking, but unfortunately, it’s not uncommon.
It’s worth noting that South Africa’s religious leaders have been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Remember Pastor Mboro? He’s facing charges that include kidnapping and assault. It seems like the headlines are filled with stories of pastors behaving badly. But that doesn’t mean we should lose faith in religion—it means we need to hold these leaders accountable.
South Africans Speak Out on Social Media
The internet has been buzzing with reactions from South Africans who are fed up with these kinds of stories. Mwelase Junior Gp shared some wisdom, reminding everyone that we shouldn’t be worshipping people—we should be worshipping God. He said, “People must stop worshipping other people. God does exist and He will never harm you because of the love He has for all of us.”
Siphola Wabantwana echoed a sentiment from the Bible, pointing out that some so-called men of God have the appearance of godliness but deny its power. He quoted 2 Timothy 3:5, saying, “That's men of God of nowadays. 2 Timothy 3vs5 says - Having the appearance of Godliness but denying his power.”
@Ants2606 didn’t hold back, calling out the hypocrisy. He said, “Oh, he’s guilty. These church people are really fooled by these fake pastors.”
Read also:Aquarium Drama Tourist Claims Vs Reality
@MoloiNoks drew a parallel to another infamous case, saying, “Another Omotoso case loading 🤦🏾.”
Not everyone was focused solely on the Bishop. Some were frustrated by the behavior of his supporters. @TheOnlyLaw23 said, “They all should be put in jail.”
@MariaSetum98039 added, “Wait until the Pastor knocks on their doors for their daughters.”
@ElnaMkhize___ had some powerful words about victim-blaming. She said, “How dare they try to shift the blame onto the victims? This is the perfect example of victim-blaming and protecting the abuser. We need to stop making excuses for predators and start supporting the survivors. No one should be silenced or dismissed when speaking out about abuse.”
Retired Bishop Takes Legal Action
Unpaid Wages Spark Dispute
In a separate but related story, a retired Bishop named Samuel Molefe has taken the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa to the CCMA over unpaid wages. Bishop Molefe claims that the church owes him severance pay, leave compensation, and unpaid salaries. This has sparked a heated debate among South Africans, with some joking that bishops work for God, not the church.
It’s clear that the relationship between religious leaders and their congregations is under scrutiny. Whether it’s about unpaid wages or allegations of abuse, these issues highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in religious institutions. It’s time for change, and the voices of survivors and supporters are leading the way.
