[ad_1]
A view of the KwaSizabantu area.
- KZN’s Department of Social Development has asked the victims of the KwaSizabantu Mission Church to open criminal cases.
- He said he wanted to help people deal with trauma and any criminal cases.
- They also encouraged others to come forward following a 7-month-long News24 investigation.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development says it will make staff available at its offices to follow up on allegations of abuse at the besieged KwaSizabantu Mission Church.
“We will discuss this matter with the relevant unit in our department to try to meet with the victims to discuss the situation,” department spokesman Mhlaba Memela said on Monday.
The church made headlines Saturday after News24 published the results of a seven-month investigation into the affairs of the mission, located in the Kranskop area, and allegations of a variety of abuses.
The report also alleged that senior officials accused of rape had been protected and that millions of rand had been laundered in the mission’s business operations.
READ ALSO | KwaSizabantu: Stay strong, preacher tells parishioners in the face of abuse allegations
Memela said they encouraged more victims to come forward.
Assistance
“We appreciate that there are people willing to come forward. We hope more will come forward and get help from the department.”
He said they wanted to meet with victims to help them deal with their trauma, but also to set up criminal cases.
“You have to carry them out and help open cases with the police so that the [alleged] the perpetrators can be arrested. After all that has been done, there will be constant support from the victims to ensure that when the case is resolved, they can tell the story and respond to the courts correctly so that they can get convictions. “
READ | Exodus: Uncovering Sex Crimes and Millions Missing in a KZN ‘Cult’
Memela said support was important.
“Our process is to send social workers and then provide them with psychosocial support so they can cope with everyday life. Normally, with any form of abuse or rape, it takes people a long time to cope.”
He did not want to speculate on incidents, but said that churches had to be safe havens for people.
“It looks like there could be a lot of abuse by that church. We don’t expect churches to abuse people. They are the people who are expected to provide comfort. They must be trustworthy. It is unfortunate that a church is in this situation. “
