The community of Ntuzuma township outside Durban in KwaZulu Natal are still in disbelief after a respected pastor in the area was arrested and charged with the rape of three teenagers from his church. The 49-year-old pastor who cannot be named as he has not pleaded is further accused of impregnating his 19-year-old stepdaughter.

Community members came out in large numbers on Monday to attend court at the Ntuzuma Magistrates Court, north of Durban in KwaZulu Natal. It's alleged that the pastor raped three teenagers all aged thirteen. As if that was not enough, it is alleged that the elders from his church tried to have a meeting with him shortly before his arrest over the allegations of him impregnating his teenage stepdaughter.

Two members of the church who spoke to ZiMoja, on condition of anonymity, said that their church's reputation has been ruined because of the pastor's arrest and the allegations he is facing. The member also said this was the first time that an elder of the church faces such allegations. "When the church elders confronted him over the allegations of impregnating his stepdaughter, he simply told them that it was none of their business and that he will sort it out with his wife as a family. Basically, he admitted to raping his daughter and impregnating her," he said. According to another church member who also did not want to be named, the pastor is not new to controversy. "He did admit to some elders that he impregnated the daughter but he told them he did not rape her. He said the sex was consensual. He is going around telling people that it was all the devil's work that has landed him in hot water. "

The church member went on to say judging by the way the pastor is behaving, it doesn't look like he realises he did anything wrong. "The way he behaved during that meeting, it was clear to everyone that he doesn't care and no one will challenge him to step aside from church while he is dealing with his ongoing court cases." Church members say they believe that more kids will come forward to report that they were raped by the pastor. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Natasha Ramakisson-Kara, confirmed that the pastor appeared in court. "The pastor appeared in court on three cases of rape. He was remanded in custody until 30 April 2024 for formal bail application," she said.