Rape suspect pastor denied bail
25 November 2019 | Justice
A Swakopmund pastor has been denied bail by the local magistrate's court, where he appeared on charges of rape, kidnapping and common assault.
The 31-year old suspect, Paulus Sackeus Panduleni, was arrested on Thursday after it was discovered that he had allegedly kidnapped the victim and locked her in his room. It is alleged that he performed sex acts with the victim over a period of over two weeks.
Erongo police crime investigations coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu, said in a report issued on Friday that the suspect alleges the 21-year-old victim needed deliverance, before restricting her movement. She was allegedly assaulted with a belt. The suspect also allegedly threatened to harm her further if she refused to obey him.
The incident took place between 2017 and January 2019.
Panduleni's arrest came less than two weeks after another pastor in Walvis Way was arrested for similar crimes.
He appeared before Magistrate Conchita Olivier, who postponed the case to 29 January 2020 for further investigations.
Erongo police community affairs officer Ileni Shapumba issued a stern warning to pastors hiding behind religious acts to commit such immoral activities, adding the law will deal them accordingly.
“There is no such a thing as deliverance through sexual acts. It is simple rape and needs to be reported,” Shapumba told Nampa.
He also called on victims who have suffered and are suffering at the hands of pastors to report these sorts of crimes to the nearest police station.
He further urged parents to ensure they are always aware of their children's whereabouts, while teaching them the difference between good morals and criminal activities.
NAMPA
The 31-year old suspect, Paulus Sackeus Panduleni, was arrested on Thursday after it was discovered that he had allegedly kidnapped the victim and locked her in his room. It is alleged that he performed sex acts with the victim over a period of over two weeks.
Erongo police crime investigations coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu, said in a report issued on Friday that the suspect alleges the 21-year-old victim needed deliverance, before restricting her movement. She was allegedly assaulted with a belt. The suspect also allegedly threatened to harm her further if she refused to obey him.
The incident took place between 2017 and January 2019.
Panduleni's arrest came less than two weeks after another pastor in Walvis Way was arrested for similar crimes.
He appeared before Magistrate Conchita Olivier, who postponed the case to 29 January 2020 for further investigations.
Erongo police community affairs officer Ileni Shapumba issued a stern warning to pastors hiding behind religious acts to commit such immoral activities, adding the law will deal them accordingly.
“There is no such a thing as deliverance through sexual acts. It is simple rape and needs to be reported,” Shapumba told Nampa.
He also called on victims who have suffered and are suffering at the hands of pastors to report these sorts of crimes to the nearest police station.
He further urged parents to ensure they are always aware of their children's whereabouts, while teaching them the difference between good morals and criminal activities.
NAMPA
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