Friday, January 28, 2011

Senior Catholic priest arrested for rape

A senior Roman Catholic priest in Mthatha has been arrested for allegedly raping a 20-year-old man, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Monday. 

The priest, 68, was arrested on Sunday and applied for bail in the Mthatha Magistrate's Court on Monday, said NPA regional spokesman Luxolo Tyali.

"The magistrate reserved his ruling because he wants to apply his mind... because [the priest] is a foreigner. He has to be sure that [the priest] won't leave the country if he is granted bail." Tyali said.

The rape allegedly took place in 2009, Tyali said.

The priest arrived in South Africa towards the end of 1998. 

He runs a youth home which offers street children a way to live together and further their education.

The 20-year-old complainant lived at the home until the alleged rape took place.

SIC: TimesLive/USA