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	Pastor Sodomises Pupil By Njabulo Dlamini The Swazi Observer [Swaziland] March 15, 2006 http://www.observer.org.sz/main.asp?id=19178&Section=main A pastor of a well-known and established church is alleged to have sodomised a pupil from one of the prominent schools outside the city. The pupil is said to have narrated his plight to one of the teachers at the school, after having endured the trauma for some time. This newspaper has it on authority that this is not the first time the pastor committed such an offence but he might have stirred the hornet's nest now as relatives and the administration at the school are pursuing the issue to its end. The head teacher confirmed the incident, adding that he was awaiting feedback from the boy's parents and teachers on their investigations. "I was away when the matter was first reported to the administration and the deputy was acting on my behalf. When I returned, he informed me about it and the course of action they had undertaken. "Their briefing left me satisfied. As far as I'm concerned, the pupil's parents mandated the administration to handle the issue," Mnisi said. He said he later underwent an operation, hence was away for some days from the school. This means he is not aware of the latest developments. "I understand the child was to undergo counselling with professional organisations and also receive medical attention," the head teacher said. He added that the sodomy issue shocked them and said he hoped the perpetrator would be brought to book. This newspaper gathered that the concerned pupil's performance had gone down drastically. The school was to hold a meeting yesterday with the school committee on the orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) and the head teacher said the issue was to be tackled too. "It will do no harm if we inform the committee about it so that they act accordingly since they come from the community," the head teacher said when interviewed on Monday at the school. The pastor's identity will not be revealed for now. Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) Director Nonhlanhla Dlamini expressed disappointment at the incident. "Generally, we are disappointed at the level of violence going on especially involving people society is supposed to seek guidance from e.g. pastors. Our belief is that the law would assist. "This is moreso because government recently promised, through Deputy Prime Minister Albert Shabangu, that tough laws would be enacted to deal with such cases. It is also gratifying that a Sexual Violence and Domestic Bill to fight such cases is on its way," Dlamini said. Her recommendation was that the three church bodies; League, Conference and Council of Churches come up with a clear definition of a pastor and what qualities one needed to qualify for such honours. "It is upon these bodies to enact regulations because, at the moment, anyone can establish a church so that it now seems more of a get-rich-quick scheme," Dlamini said. N.B. We are aware of the sensitivity of the article. However, as a newspaper we have a duty to expose such barbaric acts to bring the culprits to justice, scare-off would-be perpetrators and also solicit appropriate interventions.
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