EVATON police in Emfuleni have been accused of turning a blind eye to a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a pastor at her home.
The police allegedly told the girl's mum to open a harassment protection order as an attempted rape case would drag in court for a long time.
According to the mum, the pastor from their church visited the family home on 21 December 2023 to pray for her dad who was not well at the time.
She said the pastor was sitting next to the bedroom where the girl was bathing and her grandfather went outside to do something, leaving the pastor alone.
The mum alleged that the pastor snuck into the bedroom, pushed the girl against the wall, touching her all over trying to rape her and she screamed for help.
“My dad heard my daughter scream and came running to the house. The pastor came out of the bedroom, ran to his car and left without saying goodbye,” she said.
The mother said they went to Evaton Police Station to report the matter, but the police told them to find the pastor's address. Days later, the pastor was arrested and taken to the station only to be released because no case had been opened. He was only served with a harassment protection order.
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The girl's mother said her daughter has not been doing well in the past few months as the pastor hasn’t been arrested for attempting to rape her. She alleged that the church is defending him. The family said lately the young girl hates going to church.
A bishop at the church said the incident didn’t take place in the church. As a result, he said the church won't get involved and the pastor won't be suspended.
Three months after the incident, Daily Sun helped the family open an attempted rape case against the pastor on 27 March. The mother thanked the SunTeam for coming to the family's rescue as justice will now be served.
Gauteng police spokeswoman, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said a case of sexual assault was opened, but the suspect has not been arrested yet. She said investigations are underway.
