Court told how pastor of End of Times church raped 18-year-old church member

A Lusaka magistrate court has been told how an 18-year-old member of United End of Times Church was raped by her pastor in Kanyama compound.

This is in a matter he allegedly raped an 18-year-old girl who was entrusted to him for spiritual cleansing and sponsorship to school.

In this case, George Phiri, aged 30, of Kanyama compound pleaded not guilty to one count of rape.

When the matter came up at the Lusaka magistrate court, Magistrate Idah Phiri said in her ruling that after the court analyzed the evidence adduced by the prosecution it proved beyond reasonable doubt and found the accused with a case to answer.

Magistrate Phiri further ruled that the evidence of all the prosecution’s witnesses proved beyond reasonable doubt according to the evidence adduced.

It is alleged that Phiri took the victim to a lodge and had sex with her as part of spiritual cleansing. It is also alleged that he smeared a white powder on her genitals and sprinkled some water on her body claiming that she had a spiritual husband and some evil spirits which needed to be removed whilst naked on the bed.

Previously, Teddy Chulu testified that he was given the white powder by the victim to present as part of evidence.

“On August 18, 2022, I reported on duty under the victim support unit, whilst in the office between 8:30hours and 16hours I was allocated a rape case and to investigate the matter in which Davies Kamwanga reported on behalf of his niece who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a known person who was guarding her,’’ he said.

Chulu further narrated that the victim during the interview indicated that Phiri was paying her school fees and was her pastor at end of time ministries in Lusaka.

“She indicated that she had problems in the stomach and told her that he wanted to remove evil spirits which were tormenting her. She was later taken to a certain lodge in old Kanyama farm with the view of removing the evil spirits.

“It was in the lodge where the suspect removed white powder which was poured in a plastic dish with water, at that point the victim felt dizzy and suspect took advantage of the situation and had sex with her (sexual assault) I was informed that the same water with powder was to clean the private part, and she was given the powder for instructions and every time she needs to bath should be using powder,’’ he narrated.

The court also heard that Phiri threatened to kill the victim if she was to reveal the ordeal to anyone and everything transpired.

“The victim was promised a new phone and also to sponsor her to school, she was thereafter warned or threatened not to tell anyone what had transpired,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the victim in her testimony admitted being raped by Phiri and being smeared white powder on her private’s parts to clear the illness she had.

And the victim’s father narrated to the court how he trusted his pastor because he used to go to his church for prayers.

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