Congregants of the Gods Will ministry in Gxulu in Libode are ready to pay R5,000 to bail out their bishop, who is accused of raping a close relative over three years.
The Libode magistrate’s court has now granted the bail after a month of jail time.
Magistrate Nwabisa Jumba said she was convinced there was new evidence and granted the bishop bail.
“The applicant did not have a firearm at the alleged time of commission of this offence.”
Jumba further found that the complainant wanted to apologise to [the accused] and that the reason for the assault was that there was “a boyfriend” in the picture.
“The applicant proved on a balance of probabilities that there are indeed new facts warranting his release on bail,” she added.
However, the bail comes with strict conditions that the bishop may not have contact with the complainant or any other state witnesses.
Asked if he understood the conditions, the grey haired man said he understood and promised to obey them.
His first bail application was refused two weeks ago by the same court on the grounds that the reasons he provided did not warrant bail.
He had told the court he wanted to look after his mother and seven church branches and that he suffered from chronic illnesses including a weak heart and hypertension.
His congregants, in the gallery in numbers, were overjoyed.
“I thank God for being on our side. What worries us most was his health as we know he is not well. Whatever happens now he will be in safe place,” said Nkosibantu Yokwana.
Nyanisa Ntshinka said the church would pay the bail.
Ntshinka said: “We are going to celebrate in the mission and praise God’s name.”
The man will be back in court on November 2.
He was arrested last month in Hofmeyr, where he has another case of indecent assault against him laid by a close relative...