Kaya News Reporter
Chief Apostle Benjamin Dingiso will appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing rape charges.
Community members in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni are calling for the Arise and Shine church that the pastor leads to be shut down.
This after the church leader was accused of grooming and sexually abusing over 20 young men from 2009.
Benjamin Dingiso was arrested earlier this month and faces 13 charges for rape and sexual assault.
Ten members of his congregation have come forward accusing him of sexual assault. He is also being accused of grooming young boys.
The allegations come from men who were being groomed by the pastor to run their own churches.
It was during this time that the pastor made sexual advances on the young men and boys.
The men claim they were asked to massage the pastor and were fondled and kissed by the pastor before he allegedly raped them.
Apostle Dingiso appeared in court on 25 January but the case was postponed and he will apply for bail this week.
The 52-year old will plead not guilty to all the charges and believes he is the target of a malicious church elder who wants to take his church away from him.
He claims he was tortured by police to admit to the charges and says the allegations against him are false.
One of the men claims that he was raped by the pastor from 2010 until 2020 when he did come forward.
Also read: Head of Hillsong Church steps down ahead of criminal trial



