Dobsonville church elder accused of rape back in court
A 56-year-old church elder and ANC member accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Dobsonville, Soweto, is expected to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court, west of Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
Tshepo Ntsimane abandoned his bail application during his previous court appearance, where the matter was postponed for further investigations.
Political parties, government officials and activists have since called for stronger action against gender-based violence and crimes against children.
Ntsimane is accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl who lives on the same street as him in Dobsonville.
He allegedly lured the child from her home to his house before sexually assaulting her.
During his last court appearance, he abandoned his bail application and the case was postponed to allow police to finalise outstanding investigations, including a witness statement and video footage.
The ANC in Johannesburg has since suspended the accused from the party.
[IN PICTURES] 56-year-old church elder, and member of a men’s prayer group, Tshepo Ntsimane appeared in Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court this morning in connection with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Dobsonville, Soweto. For more visit https://t.co/Pcfl4Rcee4
: SABC… pic.twitter.com/oIirZ0vAzk— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 22, 2026
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