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

JOHANNESBURG - The Pretoria High Court has heard how disgraced popular Bishop Stephen Zondo allegedly used so-called deliverance sessions to initiate his sexual abuse.

The leader of the Rivers of Living Waters Church is standing trial for nine counts of rape and abuse of congregants.

Testifying on Monday was forensic psychologist, Gerhard Labuschagne, who interviewed some of the victims.

Labuschagne spent the morning testifying on religious abuse and commenting on whether Bishop Zondo’s conduct equated to this.

State prosecutor, Jennifer Cronje, referred to testimony by a woman who claimed she visited Zondo for a prayer session for her marriage.

But she said the session took a turn for the worse.

"He then switched in prayer and prayed for her sexual feelings for him to go up."

She said Zondo then went on to force her to perform oral sex on him.

Cronje has presented several other versions from former congregants who testified about abuse during their private sessions with the bishop.