By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bishop Israel Makamu has been released on R2000 bail by the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court after being arrested for sexual assault earlier on Wednesday.
Makamu was arrested after a former employee of his church, Endless Hope Bible Church, opened a case against him last week, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed.
Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Gauteng, said in a media statement that the complaint against the bishop was laid by a former employee of his church on May 19 at the Brackendowns police station in Ekurhuleni.
“The case relates to an incident that allegedly happened in his church office in Alrode in September 2018. The case was remanded to 13 July 2021 for further investigations,” said Mjonondwane.
The beleaguered pastor has been in the spotlight recently due to his appearance on TV show, AmaBishop, where he attempted to explain the relationship between him and his congregants.
He took the country into his confidence about the relationships between him and his congregants, especially young women.
And before that, he publicly apologised to his wife following a leaked audio with sexual connotations.
He used a Sunday church service to “humble” himself before his wife and congregation with an apology.
“I’m repeating what I said three years ago to my wife; I have sinned against heaven and I have sinned against you [wife].
“Maybe I’m no longer worthy to be called your husband, with all humility, I’m repeating words I said three years ago, I have sinned, please find it in your heart to forgive me,” said Makamu to his wife, who walked up to the pulpit to hug her husband.
Makamu, the host of the controversial TV show Rea Tsotella on Moja Love channel on DStv, stepped aside from the show pending an internal investigation into a recording in which he is heard allegedly asking for sex from a woman who was part of his congregation.