The high court in Mbizana has found Hlumelo Dywili guilty of rape and human trafficking, and sentenced him to six life terms.
The high court in Mbizana sentenced a self-proclaimed apostle to six life terms on Wednesday.The singer and lay pastor from Mthatha, who purported to be on a mission to heal the sick and secure jobs for people, also sold products at roadshows in the Eastern Cape and had a base in Mbizana.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said between July and August last year, Dywili used Facebook and Inkonjane Community Radio to advertise his businesses. Tyali said Dywili used false testimonies from people who claimed he had helped them. “One victim, originally from Komani in the Eastern Cape but staying in Cape Town, responded to his Facebook advertisement. Dywili promised her a job and purchased a bus ticket for her travel.
“Upon her arrival, he raped her in his motor vehicle at his home in Mthatha, before isolating her at his base in Mbizana the following day. In Mbizana she found two more victims who had also been lured to his base with promises of job offers.”