A pastor who allegedly fondled a married church member’s buttocks and begged her for s*x has been dragged to court by the no-nonsense woman who is also a lawyer.
Bulawayo Adventist Church Brighton Ndebele
A pastor has been dragged to court for allegedly fondling a married church member’s buttocks and soliciting for s*x from her.
The woman who raised alarm also alleged that the pastor and some high ranked members of the church are trying to cover up the issue.
According to B-Metro, the Bulawayo Adventist Church Brighton Ndebele is accused of allegedly indecently assaulting a married congregant who is also a senior city lawyer. He is said to have fondled her buttocks and sexually solicited for s*x.
According to court documents, the victim said the church’s failure to deal with the matter gave her an impression that it accepts as normal “predatory sexual proclivities from its pastors”.
In her letter of complaint against Pastor Ndebele which was addressed to South Zimbabwe Conference chairman Pastor Ngulube, Union president Pastor Choga, executive secretary Pastor Thabiso Sibanda, the victim accused the church of allegedly trying to sweep Pastor Ndebele’s sexual mess under the carpet.
“Pastor (Ndebele) conducted himself criminally towards me by making inappropriate, unsolicited physical conduct that is best dealt with through criminal justice system. The pastor’s sexualised conduct and language caused me traumatic uneasiness and discomfort and in view of the manner in which you seem to be addressing the issue, I regret to say I may find myself unable to maintain a co-operative attitude in the direction of the church’s way of doing things.
“How are we expected to sweep this mess under the carpet so that we wallow in misery as he (Pastor Ndebele) smiles all the way to the pulpit and possibly into leading more women into adultery?
“I specifically requested you to limit the involvement of pastor and president J.B Sibanda in the resolution of this matter because at the time the pastor made sexual advances towards me, I admonished him and advised him that I will report him to the president and he told me that the president is his friend and confidante and he would never believe me.
“It also gives me an impression that the church accepts as normal predatory sexual proclivities from its pastors,”reads the complaint in part.
In his defence outline Pastor Ndebele ,who is facing indecent assault charges, said although he confirmed that on 20 April he visited the complainant’s work place and discussed church related matters and they had lunch together he denied that he asked for a hug from the complainant.
He said the hug came naturally and consensually as would happen to anyone who know each other and are also friends. Pastor Ndebele further stated that he never forced himself on the complainant or fondled her buttocks.
The matter which is before Bulawayo magistrate Charity Maphosa was postponed to 2 August for continuation of trial.
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