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	NPA Tight-lipped on Methodist Church Sex Abuse Matter City Press January 22, 2010 http://www.citypress.co.za/Content/SouthAfrica/News/2168/26c4b70c9b5d43c08a1c70efef788c20/22-01-2010-01-15/NPA_tight-lipped_on_Methodist_Church_sex_abuse_matter THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remained tight-lipped today regarding its investigations into allegations of sexual abuse at the Johannesburg Central Methodist Church. NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga admitted the NPA was asked to investigate acts of sexual abuse at the church last year but declined to divulge details of a report compiled following its investigations. “There was indeed a complaint submitted to us, which we considered and presented to the SAPS. A decision was then taken on the matter... unfortunately we can’t disclose that decision to the media until such is communicated to the affected parties,” said Mhaga. He could also not be drawn to indicate if the suspension of Bishop Paul Verryn earlier this week had anything to do with the NPA report. “I can’t comment on the bishop,” he said. Allegations of sexual abuse at the church, which mainly houses hundreds of refugees from Zimbabwe, were made last year when teenage girls said teachers at the church were coercing them into performing sexual favours with promises of toiletries, clothes and food. One of the teachers was suspended last September and told to leave the church premises after being twice accused of sexually abusing children there. The church said at the time: “We, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, are gravely concerned about the situation at the Central Methodist Church and are committed to doing everything within our power to assist the investigations and redress the situation. “The church has been aware of these allegations and has acted and fulfilled all fiduciary and statutory obligations by reporting these said accusations to the department of social development and the National Prosecuting Authority.” On suspending Verryn, the church said he was “charged in an internal process“. Bongani Khoza, an attorney working for a firm that acts on behalf of the Methodist Church, declined to disclose reasons for Verryn’s suspension. He said Verryn would appear before a church disciplinary committee. Verryn could not be immediately reached for comment this morning. However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) today released a statement saying the suspended bishop should be recognised for his humanity. “The suspension of Bishop Paul Verryn is a new twist in the long-running saga of refugees who crowd the Central Methodist Church in central Johannesburg,” said Gauteng DA spokesperson Jack Bloom. “I hope that it assists the resolution of this thorny problem in which Verryn was increasingly seen as a stumbling block.” The Methodist Church announced Verryn’s suspension yesterday without disclosing any reasons for the decision. “He has been suspended and charged in an internal process,” said attorney Khoza. The Central Methodist Church has given refuge to a number of Zimbabwean immigrants and has been at the centre of controversy involving the situation of woman and children at the church in central Johannesburg. Bloom said: “The fact remains, however, that the church is involved only because of the failure of local, provincial and national government to adequately cater for these refugees. Whatever his faults, Verryn’s humanity should be recognised.” The Star newspaper, without citing any sources, today reported that the National Intelligence Agency and the NPA had been investigating activities at the church.
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