Pastor On Rape Trial Denies Witnesses Claims
He told the court that when he prayed over the members including women, he would take them to the altar, pour the oil on his hand, make a cross on the person’s forehead with the oil and pray over them to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Thursday 08 October 2020 | 23:09
Waisake Tulavu outside the High Court in Suva on October 7, 2020. Photo: Ashna Kumar
A church pastor on trial for raping and sexually assaulting women while spreading the word of God and conducting healing prayers has denied all allegations.
Agape Healing Church Ministry Pastor Waisake Tulavu took the stand yesterday as a defence witness to tell his side of the story.
The trial is presided by Justice Daniel Goundar at the High Court in Suva.
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Tulavu is charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
In court
Tulavu told the court that he was only following the procedures and prayers written in the Bible and prayed over the complainants with oil.
He told the court that when he prayed over the members including women, he would take them to the altar, pour the oil on his hand, make a cross on the person’s forehead with the oil and pray over them to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Tulavu told the court that people had come to him with their needs, including the complainants.
He told the court that the first complainant wanted him to pray over her in a private session.
He denied claims made by the complainant that he said they could be delivered by having sex with an elder of the church at any point in time.
He also denied performing sexual acts with the complainants.
Tulavu told the court that he did not touch these women, and claimed that the reason the complainants reported the matter was because they were ‘cursed and not healed’.
With regards to the second complainant, Tulavu said he knew her for the past 10 years and that he did not tell her to have sex with an elder of the church.
He told the court that he did not commit the offences as he only prayed over them inside the church.
Allegation
It is alleged that between May 11 and September 15, 2018, at Nasinu, Tulavu allegedly raped three women who were members of the church ministry.
Tulavu is represented by Sokoveti Daunivesi, Talei Kean and Epeli Sau from the Legal Aid Commission.
Prosecution is represented by Sadaf Shameem and Unaisi Tamanikaiyaroi from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Edited by Caroline Ratucadra
Feedback: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj
Read the Other trials here: Tulavu Trials: Complainant Alleges Pastor Had Sex With Her To Heal Her Curse
