Former employee at rape-accused Stephen Zondo's church hopes more victims come forward
Sizakele Poopedi, who was on the church’s fundraising committee, said she knows more women who were violated by Zondo but are afraid to come forward.
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JOHANNESBURG - A former senior member of the Rivers of Living Water Church said she hopes Friday’s high court judgment will encourage more of Bishop Stephen Zondo’s alleged victims to come forward.
On Friday, the Pretoria High Court dismissed Zondo’s application for a discharge.
The archbishop has denied the rape allegations against him, claiming the State has no winnable case.
But Judge Mokhibe Mosopa disagreed, ruling that Zondo had a case to answer to.
Sizakele Poopedi, who was on the church’s fundraising committee, said she knows more women who were violated by Zondo but are afraid to come forward.
"Most of the rape victims do not want to come out, the hostility that you have to face as a woman because many perpetrators and considering that he has a church of over 20,000 people following him."
Zondo is facing more rape charges in a separate matter in the Sebokeng Magistrates Court.