A religious leader is due to appear that the Chatsworth magistrate's Court for a bail application after he allegedly raped a 12-year-old boy
Image: File
THE much anticipated bail application of a religious leader who allegedly raped a 12-year-old boy multiple times is due to happen at the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning.
The application which has drawn much community and media attention, concerns a 54-year-old man, who cannot be named at this stage. is set to commence at 11am.
He was arrested in March this year following a series of reported incidents.
The charge sheet outlines harrowing and graphic details regarding the alleged rapes, which reportedly occurred during the course of 2024 and continued into February of this year.
Significantly, the accused is believed to hold a position as a religious leader within the Chatsworth community, raising profound concerns regarding trust and safety in religious congregations.
Disturbingly, this is not the first instance of such accusations facing community leaders. In a related case, in September last year, another religious figure was arrested on charges of raping a 14-year-old girl from his youth group.
Although the charges in that case were provisionally withdrawn, it has added to the scrutiny surrounding religious authorities in Chatsworth.
The current accused has a troubling history, having been previously convicted of rape, for which he received a suspended sentence.
This background is likely to play a significant role in how the court views the bail application, as the community awaits further developments in a case that has sent shockwaves through the area.
DAILY NEWS