By Kaya 959 Reporter
Bishop Israel Makamu is a free man.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced that sexual assault charges against Makamu were withdrawn on Tuesday.
The NPA made the decision following a consultation session with the complainant. She informed the NPA that she had a mediation process with Bishop Makamu.
The complainant filed a withdrawal statement after the consultation session.
The church leader was arrested in May. He was released on R2 000 bail after making a brief appearance in the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on May 26.
Makamu, who is a presenter on Moja Love’s ‘Rea Tsotella’, was accused of making sexual advances towards an employee who was under the age of 18 at the time.
It was widely reported that Makamu allegedly tried to bribe the woman’s family after a telephone conversation purportedly between Makamu and the woman went viral on social media.
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Dirty money
In the recording, the church leader can be heard asking, ‘otlo mfa akere’, which means ‘will you give it to me’.
The girl replies, “No daddy” and he tells her she is boring.
Makamu allegedly offered the family R1 million but they rejected it, calling it ‘dirty money’.
He was arrested after the woman laid a complaint at the Brackendowns police station.
“After careful consideration of all evidence and the mediation process between the complainant and Makamu, the NPA is convinced that the interest of justice dictates that prosecution no longer be pursued,” NPA spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane, said.
At the time of his arrest, Makamu had voluntarily stepped down from the channel, pending an internal investigation.
In a statement, Moja Love confirmed that they will be conducting their own investigation regarding the matter before Makamu is reinstated.
“In consultation with the channel, Bishop Makamu maintains that he is innocent and says that the recording dates back to 2017. He says the lady in the recording worked for him and their conversation was not sexual in any way and it was altered to extort money from him,” the channel said.
ALSO READ: ALSO READ: Bishop Makamu apologises to his wife



