A group of angry residents stormed into a local Anglican church in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, demanding the immediate removal of a priest accused of sexually assaulting seven minors. The community members are outraged by the allegations and want the priest expelled from the parish and stripped of his duties. The allegations came to light after one of the alleged victims spoke out, prompting other families to come forward with similar claims.
According to community members, the allegations against the priest have been ongoing, with three cases already opened at the Mountain Rise police station. More cases are expected to be opened this week as the allegations continue to emerge. The community is particularly angered by the priest's court appearance on Friday, where he was granted R2 000 bail. This has fueled their demands for the priest's immediate removal from the church.
Church member and community activist Pinky Seoka said the community was shocked and outraged by the allegations against the priest. The residents confronted church officials during the protest, demanding that the priest be permanently removed from the church and that his certificate be destroyed. The community wants to ensure that the priest has no further association with the church while the allegations are being investigated.
Dean of the Diocese of Natal, Thamsanqa Ntembe, addressed the gathering and assured them that the priest had been suspended while the church conducts its own internal investigation into the allegations. Ntembe said the church was taking the allegations seriously and that internal processes were under way. However, the community remains adamant that the priest should have no further association with the church.
The community's demands are centered on ensuring that the priest does not have the opportunity to harm any more children. The residents are calling for the church to take immediate action and remove the priest from his position. The church's internal investigation is ongoing, but the community wants to see swift action taken against the priest.
The South African Police Service is also investigating the allegations against the priest. The Witness is awaiting confirmation from the police service regarding the cases and the circumstances surrounding the allegations. The community is hopeful that justice will be served and that the priest will be held accountable for his actions.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the community, with many calling for greater accountability from the church. The community's demands for the priest's removal have been clear, and it remains to be seen how the church and the police service will respond to the allegations. The investigation is ongoing, and more information is expected to come to light in the coming days.
Key points
- The priest has been suspended by the church while an internal investigation is conducted.
- The community is demanding the priest's immediate removal from the church and the destruction of his certificate.
- Three cases have been opened at the Mountain Rise police station, with more expected to be opened this week.
