A Bloemfontein bishop has been found guilty of raping a Park Road policewoman. The rape case against Moshebelele Michael Lebojoa (46) dragged on for at least five years before Wednesday’s judgment in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Courtroom 28. 

Magistrate Jan Greyvenstein found the allegations of rape against Bishop Lebajoa of the Miracle Worship Centre in Bloemfontein were all substantiated by the evidence brought before the court by the prosecution. He said this is a high-profile case of a pastor and a businessman.

Bishop Michael Lebajoa during a church service. Photo: Facebook

Greyvenstein relied most of the verdict against the accused on Facebook text messages between the accused and the victim. In these messages, the bishop apologised to the victim and asked that she not open a case against him, that he would rather hand himself over to the authorities. Lebajoa also said he betrayed the victim and threatened to commit suicide.

Bishop Michael Lebajoa is expected to be sentenced on 13 December.

His case was postponed to 13 December for sentencing whilst his bail was extended until then. His defence lawyer Adv. Lumka Diba asked for the sentencing of his client to be postponed for consultation for migration.

However, state prosecutor Adv. Michele Nel from Sexual Offences and Community Affairs said the state was not opposed to the extension of the bail but cited her concern regarding the period of consultation. She told Greyvenstein the matter must be concluded during 2023 and not in 2024. The magistrate agreed with her.

Bishop Michael Lebajoa raped the victim at her place of residence on 5 December 2018. Photo: Facebook

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Lebajoa raped the victim at her place of residence in Phase 2 on 5 December 2018. The matter was reported to police and he was arrested and charged with rape on 10 December 2018. The perpetrator made his first court appearance two days later and has since been out on R2,500 bail.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi Corné/Daphné/Morné