Bishop Makamu Case Takes New Twist

The Bishop Israel Makamu case seems to have drawn to a sudden close, as it has been reported that the former TV host and his victim have decided to smoke a peace pipe.

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It’s been over a month since the sexual harassment scandal took social media and South Africa by storm. The Bishop, who is much-loved for his advice on Moja Love’s popular confrontational talk show Rea Tsotella, had to step down from the show after an audio clip of him soliciting a sexual favour from an employee at his church went viral. It was later reported that the girl, who was 17 years old at the time, and her family opened a case against Makamu a week after the clip was leaked.

However, according to City Press, it seems the two parties have come to some form of an amicable decision that will no longer require the law. The publication reports that the woman, who is now 21 years old, and her family approached the state, asking that the case be withdrawn. It was also confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) that the family had been in touch.

NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said to City Press, “We have been informed that the complainant doesn’t want to pursue the case. We are still awaiting consultation with her so that we can see the withdrawal statement and take it from there. The decision has not yet been made.”

She further explained that they are still consulting with the victim and checking if she has really filed the withdrawal statement before making a decision. 

The publication also contacted the victim’s father, who confirmed that they had approached the prosecutor handling the case and asked that the case be withdrawn.

“I spoke to the prosecutor on Monday this week and told him that my daughter is fine now, so let’s drop this case,” he said.

Several sources have claimed that the decision to withdraw the case comes after a mediation meeting that took place between the woman, her family, the Makamus and his legal team. The meeting allegedly took place two weeks ago, and also present at the meeting was Solomon Ashoms who acted as a mediator. Ashoms is a member of Bishop Makamu’s church and has been helping the woman open a case. It is also alleged that a representative from Moja Love was also present.

“They are going to draw up a withdrawal statement and sign a mediation agreement,” one of the sources claimed.

“They did meet and everyone said what they wanted to say and apologies were exchanged there and then. The meeting was quite long and at the end of the day Makamu apologised to the woman and she accepted his apology,” said another source close to Makamu.

Ashoms confirmed that a meeting did take place: “At this point, I can’t reveal anything about that meeting because it is part of the mediation process between Makamu and the family. In due course, we will reveal everything.”

When contacted for comment, Makamu said in a text message: “I am not allowed to comment at the moment because the matter is at court.”

The Bishop is currently out on R2000 bail and is expected to appear in court on July 13.

Last month ZAlebs reported that a foundation called ‘Kwanele Mfundisi‘, which is a platform for people who have suffered abuse at the hands of pastors and churches holistically, revealed that three more girls have come out to accuse the former Rea Tsotella presenter of violating them.

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