PIETERMARITZBURG (SOUTH AFRICA)
The Witness [Pietermaritzburg, South Africa]
October 4, 2026
By Andiswa Mchunu
Angry residents gathered outside an Anglican church on Sunday, demanding the removal of a priest accused of sexually assaulting minors.
Angry community members stormed into a local Anglican church in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, demanding the immediate removal of a priest accused of sexually assaulting seven minors.
The residents want the Anglican priest expelled from the parish and stripped of his duties following allegations that have emerged from families of the alleged victims.
The allegations came to light after one of the alleged victims spoke out, prompting other families to come forward with similar claims.
Three cases have been opened at the Mountain Rise police station, with more expected to be opened this week as the allegations continue to emerge.
Church member and community activist Pinky Seoka said the community was particularly angered by the priest’s court appearance on Friday, where he was granted R2 000 bail.
Residents confronted church officials during the protest, demanding that the priest be permanently removed from the church and that his certificate be destroyed.
Dean of the Diocese of Natal, Thamsanqa Ntembe, told the gathering that the priest had been suspended while the church conducts its own internal investigation into the allegations.
Ntembe said the church was taking the allegations seriously and that internal processes were under way.
The community, however, remained adamant that the priest should have no further association with the church while the allegations are being investigated.
This is a developing story. The Witness is awaiting confirmation from the South African Police Service regarding the cases and the circumstances surrounding the allegations.
Andiswa Mchunu
I am a multimedia journalist at The Witness in KwaZulu-Natal, specialising in breaking news, politics, crime, community affairs and human-interest reporting. I am committed to producing accurate, impactful journalism that informs the public, holds those in power accountable and amplifies the voices of communities across the province.