JOHANNESBURG - A 58-year-old Dobsonville politician and church leader will apply for bail on Wednesday.
He is accused of raping a 12-year-old girl. Public outrage was sparked after a video of the violent incident went viral.
In an exclusive interview, a neighbour who responded to the little girl's screams said she found the victim, dazed and next to what looked like a pool of blood.
She, like many other neighbourhood children, was no stranger to spending long afternoons at the church leader's house.
She said the lack of electricity in Dobsonville is what lured children into the home of the church leader.
"He opened up his house for everyone to charge and cook. Everyone felt comfortable with that, not knowing what was on his mind, whether he was planning this all along," the neighbour questioned.
Drugged and disoriented, the 12-year-old described her ordeal to neighbours who responded to her screams.
"When I got into the room I didn’t see a child, all I saw was a mess. It was a mess and I didn't want to stay for long.”
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The community confronted the man in his study, drunk and smelling of faeces.
They believe the incident may have been part of a dark and twisted ritual.
"All he said was no, these children drink alcohol. At that point, I didn't want to talk to him anymore I just felt numb and wanted to see the child."
"I think he was in a trance, he was not sure of what was happening and didn't say he did it. The child was also drunk."
- eNCA's Naomi Kobbie reports