ONGWEDIVA – This year, 12 pastors and deacons from various local churches such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin), Roman Catholic Church and several revival churches, were reported to have committed crimes.
The purported crimes which the men of cloth are said to have committed include rape, attempted murder, scamming, forgery and uttering.
In the Oshikoto region, a 23-year-old pastor was denied bail on Thursday for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl.
Two weeks ago, a 68-year-old Roman Catholic deacon was arrested for the murder of his 31-year-old son.
In the Ohangwena region, two pastors were arrested for murder and rape.
Last week, a case was opened against a 34-year-old pastor of a revival church for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl at the Omangela village.
In a separate case, a 31-year-old man, serving as a priest for the Roman Catholic Church, is in custody for allegedly killing his three-year-old niece and assaulting his six-year-old nephew at Onakaholo village. Police commander in the Omusati region, Commissioner Ismael
Basson stated that his region recorded several criminal incidents involving pastors.
There, three rape cases were opened against three pastors, including one presiding over an Elcin parish church.
Last week, a 28-year-old woman was reportedly scammed of over N$190 000 by a 28-year-old pastor of a revival church in Outapi.
Basson narrated that a 31-year-old pastor of an Elcin parish was arrested for raping a 15-year-old girl on various occasions.
At Onepandulo village in Etayi constituency, a 32-year-old pastor of a revival church was arrested for allegedly raping three school learners.
Both victims used to attend church services of the pastor.
Another pastor of a revival church was arrested at Ombongo village for allegedly raping and impregnating his 15-year-old stepdaughter.
In the Oshana region, four pastors were recorded as having committed crimes.
Deputy Commissioner Fredrick Ndjadila said a 30-year-old pastor remains in custody for allegedly raping and impregnating a 15-year-old school learner at Omatango.
Meanwhile, a 35-year-old pastor of a revival church was arrested for shooting and injuring a woman who attends his church.
Also, two cases of forgery and uttering were opened against two pastors of revival churches in the Oshana region.
Furthermore, a 37-year-old pastor was arrested after he was trying to use fake documents at Home Affairs to register a birth certificate of his child.
Another pastor was arrested after he reportedly provided fake documents stating that he had a church registered in his name.