'Prophet Innocent Muritho' remanded in custody: Church rape allegations shock Limpopo
Pastor Innocent Phathutshedzo Sikhubu, popularly known as prophet Innocent Muritho, was remanded in custody by the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court in Limpopo.
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The Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court in Limpopo has remanded well-known preacher, Pastor Phathutshedzo Sikhubu, popularly known as Prophet Innocent Muritho or Ritha, in custody after he was arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl at a church in Sibasa.
"The suspect, Phathutshedzo Innocent Sikhubu, aged 40, a pastor/prophet, appeared before the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court and was remanded to 30 July 2025 in police custody for profiling," provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba told IOL on Wednesday.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on 9 July when the pastor allegedly called the minor to come to the church premises.
Previously, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the preacher locked the girl in a church office and forced himself on the minor.
“Upon her arrival, the victim found the pastor alone in the church office. It is alleged that the suspect locked the door and forced the victim to perform sexual acts before repeatedly raping her,” he said.
The suspect then allegedly instructed the teenage girl to never speak out about the incident.
“The victim courageously disclosed the ordeal to her family on Saturday, 19 July 2025, after which the police were immediately notified. A case of rape was opened and investigated by the family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit,” said Ledwaba.
The accused pastor was arrested on Sunday, and charged with rape.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, commended the teenage girl for her bravery in speaking out and reporting the serious crime.
“We encourage parents and guardians to maintain open communication with their children and to report any suspicious behaviour immediately,” said Hadebe.
Last year, IOL reported that a 39-year-old pastor was arrested and appeared before the Mkhuhlu Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl who was a member of his congregation.
The rape of the teenage girl allegedly happened at the home of the young girl in January last year.
“The victim finally broke her silence to concerned citizens on February 7 2024. The incident was eventually reported to the police,” Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said at the time.
The case was assigned to the Acornhoek family violence, child protection, and sexual offences unit, which probed the matter, resulting in the arrest of the 39-year-old man of the cloth.
IOL News