POLYGAMIST PASTOR HELD FOR RAPE OF 2 GIRLS

MBABANE – A polygamist pastor has been arrested for allegedly raping two teenage girls.

Philemon Sigidvo Bhiya (61) of Mhlangatane, who is married to two wives, is alleged to have had sexual intercourse with the two minors at Mcuba area, in the Hhohho Region, without their consent.

The survivors are aged 16 and 17 years old. Bhiya, who is also a businessman, allegedly raped the 16- year-old minor repeatedly between November 2017 and January 2018. He is alleged to have raped the other girl in May 2018.

Bhiya, who has been charged with two counts of rape, was arrested by Pigg’s Peak police on Tuesday.
The father of seven appeared at the magistrates court and was remanded in custody pending setting of a trial date. The pastor, who was represented by Machawe Dlamini of M.V. Dlamini Attorneys, filed an application for bail at the High Court.

 He submitted in his application that he heard rumours in the community to the effect that he had raped a certain girl. Bhiya told the court that he decided to go to the police station to enquire and seek advice about what he should do.
“I was told that there is nothing I can be helped with since no case at the time had been opened. However, after some time, the police called me to the police station and I was arrested.

“I was perplexed of the ordeal because I had reported same to the police and told that I did not commit such an offence. “I do not even know the identity of the survivors nor slept with them,” Bhiya said.

The pastor also said his continued incarceration was prejudicial to him because he had monthly obligations to meet. He said he was employed, ran a business and owned properties. He also told the court that he was a pastor at his church.

Sickly

He submitted that he was desirous to be admitted to bail since he was sickly and required a special diet which was not provided by His Majesty’s Correctional Services.
“My continued incarceration has serious repercussions to me because I may lose my life since I do not have a spare one. I am a sickly person who suffers from sugar diabetes and I am under treatment.

“My condition will worsen because of the condition of the holding cells in the country. My life is at great risk,” he added. His bail hearing was heard by High Court Judge Cyril Maphanga yesterday. The judge granted him bail fixed at E50 000. Bhiya was ordered to pay a cash sum of E7 000 and to provide surety for the balance of E43 000.

In a similar matter, a pastor of Potters House Church has been arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year–old member of his church.
Sithembiso Magagula (30) of Msinda in Mandlangempisi, who is married, allegedly raped the minor on several occasions. Due to trauma, the minor is reported to be attending counselling sessions at the National Psychiatric Hospital.

Magagula, according to the Crown, allegedly abused the relationship of trust with the complainant as he was her pastor.
Coincidentally, Magagula was arrested on February 18, 2018, which was a Sunday. The clergyman is alleged to have raped the young congregant during the month of August 2016. 

The pastor denied committing the offence and claimed that the charge against him was trumped up. Philemon Mnisi stood as the pastor’s surety when Judge Ticheme Dlamini granted him bail fixed at E50 000.

Magagula was ordered to pay a cash amount of E5 000 and provide surety for the balance of E45 000.
Mnisi, who is also a pastor, placed his 2009 model of an Isuzu LDV as surety.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: