image: Johannes plainio
A church leader from North West has been sentenced to two years in jail by Rustnberg Regional Court for violating Section 22 of Criminal Law (Sexual Offenses and Related Affairs). The 36 -year -old Zolisava Meenziva was discovered with five untouched adults and 11 children in residences used as a church in Sondeli Phase 1, Sondeli Phase 1, Botticong on 1 June 2022.
Provincial police spokesperson Captain Sam Tselanne revealed that the children were in care of Menziva, between four and 12 years of age. “The guilty was the only person found to be wearing clothes at that time and was allegedly the leader of the church. After a preliminary investigation, all the children aged four to twelve were removed from the house six boys and five girls were removed from the house and handed over to social workers for intervention and eventually kept to take care of other family members,” Tessen said.
The case was transferred to the Rustenberg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses (FCS) unit to further investigate. The unit under the leadership of Colonel Mosidi Mafora and Warrant Officer Firi Mafatein conducted a thorough investigation. Tselanyane said, “The accused was convicted, while the other five accused were acquitted. Menziwa was sentenced to two years imprisonment, which is completely suspended for a period of five years on the condition that he is not convicted of the same charge during the suspension period.”
North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Cello Quenna expressed satisfaction with the sentence, emphasizing the commitment of the police force to fight crimes against women and children. “For weaker people will always be a priority for men and women in blue in the province,” Quenna confirmed, appreciating the investigation team for their outstanding efforts to face the complete consequences of the law to criminals of such crimes.
Souce: IOL News