Disgraced church deacon and ANC branch member, Tshepo Ntsemane, 56, made his second appearance before the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on charges of kidnapping and rape of a 13-year-old girl. Ntsemane has since abandoned his bail application.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Disgraced church deacon and ANC branch member, Tshepo Ntsemane, 56, made his second appearance before the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on charges of kidnapping and rape of a 13-year-old girl. Ntsemane has since abandoned his bail application. I
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
A 58-year-old church elder accused of raping a 12-year-old girl in Dobsonville has abandoned his bail application, as public outrage over the case continues to intensify.
The accused,Tshepo Ntsimane, appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, April 22, where protesters gathered outside demanding that he remains behind bars.
The case has drawn widespread attention following reports that the alleged assault took place over the Easter weekend, with disturbing details emerging about how the incident unfolded.
According to earlier reports, the suspect, described as a clergyman and local political figure had gained the trust of residents, with children frequently visiting his home.
It is further alleged that ongoing electricity outages in the area made his residence a common gathering point for children, as it had access to Wi-Fi. A neighbour who responded to the child’s screams told authorities it was not unusual to see children spending extended periods at the house.
Public anger escalated after a video depicting the aftermath of the alleged assault began circulating online, prompting swift police action and the suspect’s subsequent arrest.
The African National Congress (ANC), with which the accused is affiliated, has since distanced itself from him amid mounting backlashes.
Previously, Acting Johannesburg Mayor Loyiso Masuku condemned the alleged attack, calling for urgent justice and stronger action against gender-based violence.
“I’m deeply disturbed by the alleged rape of a 12-year-old child in Soweto. This is a devastating violation of a young person’s dignity and safety,” she said.
She added that the arrest must be followed by accountability, stressing: “While I welcome the arrest of the suspect, we must now seek justice, and we trust South Africa's justice system to deliver exactly that. The perpetrator must be held fully accountable under the law.”
Masuku further emphasised that crimes against women and children require harsher sentencing and sustained intervention.
The Star
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