SOUTH AFRICA
News 24
Riot Hlatshwayo and Glacier Nkhwashu
Tzaneen - A priest, who has been accused of repeatedly raping a young girl in his church, says God told him to do so.
The girl, who is 16, is now six months pregnant.
The priest can't be identified because he hasn't been asked to plead to a rape charge yet.
He's being tried in Tzaneen regional court and is out on bail of R1 000 until he appears again on March 16.
According to the girl's statement to police, her mother had taken her to the priest so he could pray for her because she was sick.
She was 14 years old at the time.