“I think I’m already being judged because what they (CRL Rights Commission) have done is to do a public court.”
These were the words of Rivers of Living Waters Ministries leader Archbishop Stephen Zondo, who has been accused of crimes including rape and financial misconduct by former congregants and family.
The explosive accusations were made during investigative hearings held by the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities held over three days from Tuesday.
Yesterday, Zondo denied getting an invitation from the commission to tell his side of the story, even though the Chapter 9 institution said a letter informing him of the hearings in which it stated that he would get an opportunity to respond to the allegations was sent to him.
“I don’t know if they were doing an investigation or if they were exposing me… but who will I be answering to? What did I do? What I can just say is I will wait to hear what they have to say if they have anything to say or if they will invite me,” he said.
Zondo said if invited, he would attend, depending on the merits given.
Meanwhile, witnesses lined up for yesterday suffered from a bout of cold feet, with many of them not pitching up. One asked to be interviewed in camera, while the other asked to be interviewed over the phone.
Commission chairperson Prof David Mosoma said the first witness was a victim of alleged sexual abuse.
"They don't want their names published, their pictures used or their voices distorted," Mosoma said.
He said the victim’s story was similar to the other stories heard throughout the week.
“She went to this church because of a need for blessing. She and her husband were blessed with resources and they used these for the betterment of the church,” said Mosoma.
“There was an interest in terms of taking part in activities in the church which led to the act of sexual abuse. She [allegedly] used to get sexual calls in the evenings where there was suggestions of one kind or the other,” he said.
Mosoma said the witness spoke of having friends who had been sexually abused. She and her husband ended up leaving the church because of the financial losses they incurred.
The second witness, who was interviewed by phone, also complained of alleged financial abuse at the hands of Zondo.
“I had money when I went to the church. When they needed money I would add on. I would make sure that projects would continue…we were told if we do this God will bless you,” he said.
He said he ended up having nothing because he was doing everything financially for the church.
On Tuesday, the commission heard from two women, a relative of Zondo's and a former congregant, who claimed Zondo raped them. The relative said she was repeatedly raped by Zondo since she was seven years old. The former churchgoer said Zondo promised to pay her R75,000 and threatened her.
Police spokesperson Cpt Kay Makhubele has confirmed that there are cases of rape opened against Zondo. He said he could not specify how many, but investigations were under way.
".Some have been taken to the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) for a decision [whether to prosecute them or not]."
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