By: Poelano Malema
Bishop Makamu of Endless Hope Bible Church has apologised to his wife after audio was leaked where he was heard asking for sex from one of the minors who worked at his church.
Last week, Makamu made headlines after it was alleged that he was asking for sex from a 17-year-old who was allegedly his congregant. The incident happened in 2017. In the clip, Makamu can be heard calling her his daughter, and when the girl refused to allow him to come to her place for sex, Makamu told the girl she is boring.
READ: AUDIO: Moja Love’s Bishop Makamu allegedly asking for sex from congregant
Following the incident, the bishop stepped down from popular television show ‘Rea Tsotella’, where he is a presenter. On Sunday, the bishop took to the pulpit and apologised to his wife during a live broadcast of the service.
“With all humility, ngokuzithoba okukhulu, ngisaphinda amazwi ami engawa khuluma three years ago, ngithi ngonile. Find it in your heart to forgive me.”
He even said maybe he is not even fit to be called her husband. The wife then stood up and went to the stage to hug him as a symbol of forgiveness. After the service, he released another statement on his Facebook page.
“Thank you to my wife for your unwearying support and prayers, Thank you to my father Dr SD Gumbi for your love and prayers. Endless Hope Bible church thank you for your prayers. South Africa I felt your support, I pray over your life May God bring you people who will lift you and support you in your tough times in Jesus Name,” he wrote.
His apology received mixed reaction on social media.
Bishop Makamu is a pedophile. It should be known
His not different to omotoso and others.— PutSouthAfricaFirst 🇿🇦 (@Iam_shimane) May 17, 2021
When i look at the comments people make on that Bishop Makamu's matter, i see a lot of immaturity and stupidity nje in some of the comments. Sometimes its not about being satisfied or not, kunalento ebizwa temptation and lust… but ke not all are privy to logic
— Tape (@Senzi23946887) May 17, 2021
What's unfortunate is that a number of people are condemning everything and everyone but bishop Israel Makamu and his action of soliciting sex from a 17-year-old girl and then allegedly trying to bribe the family to keep them quiet.
— Shawn Mavundla (@Shawn_Mavundla) May 17, 2021
We learn from our mistakes🙏🙏at the end of the day, no one is perfect ❤ God bless you and your family Bishop Makamu ❤❤ pic.twitter.com/X2VPQTxXmi
— Tiyani G Makamu (@TiyaniG3) May 17, 2021
READ: Bishop Zondo charged with sexual harassment
Victim speaks out
In an interview with journalist Solomon Izang Ashoms, the victim claims that this was not the first time the bishop asked for sex from her.
She says the bishop told her he loves her and made sexual moves on her in a car. She claims at the time, the bishop’s wife was pregnant.
The victim said she was advised by a colleague who also worked at the church to record the bishop if he attempts to harrass her again. This is what led to the recording, which was circulating on social media last week.
The young girl says she quit her job at the church and shared the recording with her parents.
She says the parents confronted the bishop, who then offered them R1-million. The bishop’s wife also spoke to her mother and offered her money as well.
She says both her parents refused.
Listen to the full interview below.
