A PASTOR at Krist Kingdom Church in Chitungwiza allegedly raped and impregnated a 15-year-old girl from his church. Appearing before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Kudakwashe Jarabini, Charles Tarwirei Kadhufu (34) was not asked to plead to rape charges.

He was remanded in custody to March 4 for trial. The magistrate advised him to seek bail at the High Court. Allegations are that sometime between May and July last year, the girl's mother went to stay in Beitbridge and left her daughter in Kadhufu's custody.

During her stay at the pastor's house, one day the girl came home late and found the gate locked.

When she asked Kadhufu to open for her, he refused alleging that it was an instruction from her mother that he would punish her if she misbehaves.

He later unlocked the gate on condition that she was to comply with whatever he ordered.

On May 11, the girl was in her room when she was called to Kadhufu's bedroom.

While in the bedroom, Kadhufu allegedly ordered her to undress and she complied.

He raped her once. He repeatedly sexually abused the girl on several occasions threatening to commit suicide if she revealed the ordeal.

The abuse came to light after the girl visited her mother in Beitbridge where it was discovered that she was pregnant.

She was quizzed about the person responsible for her pregnancy and revealed everything.

The mother came back to Chitungwiza with her daughter and reported the matter to the police leading to his arrest. Mr Henry Muringani prosecuted.