Johannesburg Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate Helen Zille has called for life sentences for individuals convicted of rape where DNA evidence positively links them to the crime.

Zille made the call outside the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where a 58-year-old Soweto pastor appeared for a bail hearing.

The man has been accused of raping a minor girl.

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Addressing the media, Zille said the case was “disturbing” and “unthinkable”.

“It hardly bears thinking that a man who is a pastor, who has people come to the church in faith, trusted by the community, could be accused of such a heinous crime,” she said.

“A vulnerable child who placed her trust in him,” now faced a lifetime of trauma, she said.

Zille emphasised the need for stronger penalties, particularly in cases involving minors.

“If there is forensic DNA evidence linking an accused to rape, that person should be jailed for life and the key thrown away,” she said.

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She was joined by DA colleague Angel Khanyile, the party’s spokesperson on women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The case sparked outrage in Dobsonville, with community members staging protests outside the court, demanding justice for the girl.

The bail application was postponed to 22 April.

INSIDE POLITICS

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