The first witness in the rape trial of the Rivers of Living Waters Church leader, Bishop Stephen Zondo, is expected to be cross-examined in the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday. The 46-year-old woman, alleges to have been repeatedly sexually assaulted by the pastor when she was seven-years-old.
She opened an assault case against him in May 2020. Fifty five-year-old Zondo is facing eight charges of rape, one of indecent assault and one of defeating the ends of justice. On Tuesday, the court heard how he allegedly offered to buy the silence of the witness.
Zondo is said to have offered her livestock and R25 000 in exchange for dropping the charges – which she says she declined. A meeting between her and Zondo, and their respective families followed.
She says during that meeting, the pastor denied the allegations and claimed he did not recall anything.
Despite this, he is said to have apologised to the alleged victim’s family, but not to her. The witness also claims the bishop pleaded for forgiveness and asked her to name her price to keep the matter a secret.
Source: News365
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