Apostolic Church of Zion pastor rapes teen

STAFF REPORTER

BOTHA-BOTHE – A 54-years-old Apostolic Church of Zion pastor faces a charge of the rape of a 15-years-old teenage girl, in which he was assisted by his wife and mother-in-law. The pastor, who hails from Libataneng, Ha Ramatšeliso, faces the rape charge with his 21-years-old wife and 45-years-old mother-in-law as accomplices.

The trio was apprehended by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) June 1 on suspicion of sexually assaulting the teenager, the LMPS says on May 23 the teenage girl was summoned to the church by the pastor’s wife to help with some church errands.

The girl, police say, stayed overnight sleeping in the same room with the pastor and his wife. “She was, however, woken up in the middle of the night by the sounds of the couple making love,” police say.

Reports further indicate that it is at this time that the pastor introduced to his wife the need for fresh blood, and asked the wife to lubricate the teenager’s genitals with Vaseline and proceeded to sexually assault the young girl several times during the night. The victim is reported to have left the church in the morning, going home where she narrated her ordeal to her grandmother – who is the pastor’s mother-in-law.

“The mother-in-law advised the victim against reporting the rape to either the police or any other person as this would tarnish the reputation of the man of God,” police further revealed. The trio is expected to appear in court.