Action Society welcomes the court’s decision to deny bail to the two men who allegedly raped and sexually assaulted 19 women at a Khayelitsha church on Easter Sunday this year.
Yesterday, the Action Society team was at the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court.
On 9 April 2023, the churchgoers were forced to strip naked and perform sexual acts on the men at the Showers of Blessings Church in Taiwan in Site C.
The men robbed congregants of cellphones and money and sexually assaulted the women – holding guns to their heads. The women were sleeping in the church to prepare for the morning church service.
The men have been accused of raping three women, sexually assaulting eight women, and being charged with housebreaking with aggravating circumstances. A 42-year-old and two 23-year-old women were raped. Seven women between the ages of 11 and 55 were sexually assaulted.
Action Society is satisfied with the outcome of the bail application. “The women attended at least five bail application court appearances, braving the cold and rain, loadshedding and sitting for hours waiting to hear whether or not they will be granted bail.
“The community, organisations and Action Society indicated that the two men who humiliated and traumatised the women should not be let out into society. We will continue to support and assist through private investigation and court oversight,” said Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm.
The case has been postponed to 11 August 2023.
To support Action Society’s Action Centre to continue helping victims of gender-based violence, follow this link.
