Multiple rape accused and controversial evangelist Bishop Bafana Zondo, who is the leader of Rivers Living Water Ministries, is among the uMkhonto weSizwe Party's list of representatives for Parliament and the Gauteng legislature. The list was submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission of SA and this means Zondo can be a law maker should the MK get enough votes to have seats in Parliament or the Gauteng Legislature.

ALLIES

This comes just a month after Zuma visited the controversial pastor's church in Evaton. This was not the first time the former President visited Zondo even with the rape allegations hanging over his head. Speaking at the church, Zuma said he was arrested in 2021 without committing any crime. He said when the MK Party takes over the country, he will change the constitution which he believes is unfair to African people. "I did not know, in a democratic country, I would be sent to jail without committing a crime. The negotiations were not the last stop for our freedom. How can we say we are free, but our land is in the hands of white people? What made us say the constitution is number one, but it has never removed doubt about the Land Act? Once we take over, we will change the law, urgently,' he said to an applauding congregant.

MK TO LODGE COMPLAINT

The MK said they were displeased that their party list had been leaked. MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said he can't confirm if Zondo was on the list or not. Ndhlela said the party was well aware that Parliament prohibits anyone with a criminal record to partake or be involved parliamentary activities. "It's an ongoing court process, the MKP, through its legal team will lodge a formal complaint to the IEC for the leaking of MK Party candidate list. We view such conduct as unacceptable, unprofessional and has put the lives of MK candidates at risk and is violation of the POPI Act (sic).

Calls to the Rivers of Living Waters Ministries church went unanswered."

TRIAL STARTING TOMORROW

Zondo faces 10 counts of rape by seven women, most of whom belonged to his church. Testimonies heard in court, suggest that his alleged modus operandi would be to lure women into his office to pray for them, only to allegedly sexually assault or rape them. All of Zondo's alleged seven victims have testified before the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria since the start of the trial towards the end of 2021. His trial continues tomorrow.