The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn the prosecution against Bishop Israel Makamu on Tuesday for the alleged sexual assault after the complainant filed a withdrawal statement!
According to the Sunday World, NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the withdrawal follows a consultation session with the complainant and her subsequent filing of a withdrawal statement.
READ HERE – Emotionz DJ Joins The Sony Music Family!
The Sunday paper reports that Israel Makamu was released on R2000 bail after making a brief appearance on a charge of sexual assault at the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on May 26, 2021.
The paper reports that a former employee of his church laid a complaint with the South African Police Service (SAPS) on 19 May 2021, following an incident that allegedly happened in his church office in Alrode, during September 2018. In a police statement, seen by Sunday World, the woman – who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she received a call from Makamu on September 10 2018 asking her to fetch the church building’s keys from him.
In May this year, MGOSI.co.za reported that Moja Love’s (former) Bishop Israel Makamu has been thrown under the Gautrain for allegedly “asking” a church member for sex.
READ HERE – Mpura Was Naughty But He Knew How To Behave At Home, Says Grandmother!
A voice clip was doing the rounds on social media where he told a woman he’d just dropped off someone and was coming to her.
According to Daily Sun, Israel Makamu said the lady was one of his employees and had worked overtime, so she had the office keys. He said that’s all he wanted.
In the clip, Israel Makamu asks if no one will see him when he enters the place and proceeds to ask if she is alone.
When the lady confirmed that she was alone, Israel Makamu asks: “Otlo mpha?” (will you give me).
The lady can be heard repeatedly saying no, and Israel Makamu begged her, which she ends up saying she will give him on Sunday.
According to the paper, Israel Makamu said that the clip is from 2018 and he didn’t understand how it got leaked. “I understand that it sounds wrong, but I was just being playful. It kind of went too far, but I’d never ask for sex from any of my employees or congregation,” said Israel Makamu.
READ HERE – Skeem Saam Actress Nokuzola Mlengana Has Died!
Israel Makamu acknowledged that the voice clip was released although he had no idea who was doing this.
Moja Love later released a statement saying that it has accepted Bishop Israel Makamu’s decision to voluntarily step down from the channel pending an internal investigation after a recording with sexual connotations has been circulating on social media.
“As a channel, we will be conducting an internal investigation regarding the matter before Bishop Makamu is reinstated back to the channel,” reads a statement released by Moja Love.
MGOSI.co.za
