Phoenix teen testifies against pastor who allegedly raped her in his church

PATH OF HEALING

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

A PHOENIX teenager testified from behind a protective screen against her pastor who allegedly raped her inside their church.

The pastor is accused of grooming the young church member for over a year before allegedly raping her shortly after she turned 18.

The victim, who had been part of the church for a decade, was reportedly counselled by the pastor during her matric year.

The trial of Pastor Lingam Sheriff Pillay, spiritual leader at the Fountain of Life Ministries in Lenham, started in the Verulam Regional Court last week.

Pillay was charged with the alleged assault and rape of the 18-year-old congregant at his church in May 2024.

He allegedly assaulted the teenager a week before the alleged rape. He was arrested shortly after the alleged incident and later released on bail.

It has been alleged the pastor isolated her from the volunteer work she was doing at the church in preparation for Mother's Day celebrations, and allegedly raped her.

The victim, who cannot be named, was the first witness for the State at the start of the trial.