The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has successfully opposed the bail application of EmaXesibeni (formerly Mount Ayliff) pastor, Mbongiseni Pakade (45), who is charged with raping a 16-year-old girl.
Pakade was in court on January 24, where the magistrate, Gcinabantu Jubase, made the ruling that the accused’s release would not be in the interest of justice, as the reasons he gave the court were not satisfactory.
In opposing bail, prosecutor Mzolisi Sijadu led the evidence of investigating officer, Sergeant Nolundi Sikwati, that Pakade was very influential and may interfere with witnesses, adding that his release on bail may send a sense of shock, resulting in public disorder.
It was also revealed that there were two more sexual offences cases against Pakade pending the decision of the director of public prosecutions (DPP).
Pakade initially abandoned bail when he made his second appearance in December but then made a fresh bid to be released on bail earlier this month.
He is a well-known pastor from God’s Power Family Church in the Sugarbush area.
He is accused of raping his daughter’s friend on October 20, 2021. He picked up the girl, who was walking from school and drove with her to a nearby forest where he raped her, after which he threatened her not to tell anyone.
The complainant only reported the rape after confiding to her teacher who had noticed that she was not performing well in her examinations.
The case has been postponed to February 28 for the DPP’s decision.
