A Catholic church leader appeared in the Mount Fletcher magistrate’s court on Tuesday on a charge of sexual assault.
The alleged sexual assault happened at a popular Catholic mission which also runs one of the top schools in the Eastern Cape and occurred between August and December last year, Eastern Cape provincial police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said.
The case was reported to the police on March 4, she said. Neither the school nor the mission is being named as that would identify the church leader.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the church leader was released on R1,000 bail.
“The 43-year-old was released with instructions to relocate from [the mission] and not come close to the complainant. The matter has been postponed to April 12 for further investigation,” said Tyali.
Soci said the man had been arrested on Sunday afternoon. The complainant was a 19-year-old woman, she said.
“SAPS can confirm that a case of sexual assault has been registered and is under investigation by Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit. The circumstances of the incident form part of the investigation and will not be discussed,” Soci said.
Education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said basic education minister Angie Motshekga, premier Phumulo Masualle and education MEC Mlungisi Mvoko were expected to visit the school on Thursday.
The Catholic Church’s Mthatha Diocese Bishop, Sithembele Sipuka, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. The school principal also could not be reached for comment.
The school governing body chairperson said they were shocked at the arrest and the allegations levelled against the church leader. He said the alleged victim was a Grade 11 pupil and added the law would have to take its course.
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