Bishop Zondo made prayer warriors pray for the death of those who accused him of rape, court hears

JOHANNESBURG - Some congregants from the Rivers of Living Waters Church have revealed how they were encouraged to pray for the death of anyone who accused their leader of rape and sexual assault.

This was testified by a forensic psychologist who interviewed the alleged victims of prominent Bishop Stephen Zondo.

Zondo, who is the founder and leader of the church, is facing nine counts of rape and sexual assault and a count of defeating the ends of justice for allegedly trying to bribe a victim.

READ: Court hears how Bishop Zondo used private sessions to initiate sexual abuse

According to the report by Doctor Gerhard Labuschagne, Zondo allegedly made death threats against the women he abused, saying if they told anyone they would die.

Labuschagne, who interviewed the women, said that at least two of them who were prayer warriors in the church said Zondo made them pray for the death of those who accused him of rape when the allegations first arose in 2011.

"The prayer warriors had to do a curse that God must punish the accuser, that they should die or something bad should happen to them."

The women also claim Zondo often blended his sexual assault with religious acts such as prayer and then threatening that they would be cursed if they ever spoke out.