'Monster' pastor denouncedAlleged victims of human trafficking and their families staged a demonstration outside the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where an alleged trafficker was applying for bail. Chilling tales of human trafficking heard outside court Alleged victims of human trafficking yesterday made shocking allegations outside the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court against a Congolese pastor who is in custody on a number of charges. Hundreds of people staged a demonstration against pastor Pedro Marcelino Moussongela during his scheduled bail hearing.
Opposing bail were the victims of human trafficking - allegedly at the hands of Moussongela - and their loved ones.
Moussongela, who is the founder Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church and Mennonite Brethren Community School Namibia, allegedly used these institutions to sexually exploit and traffic desperate Namibians to Europe and other countries. He remains in custody following his arrest on 23 June at his Omafo school.
He faces multiple charges of human trafficking, rape, assault by threat and incest.
One of the alleged victims, Fidel Nakashololo, read out a petition in which he made grave allegations against the accused.
Nakashololo alleged that in 2002 he was trafficked to South Africa with four of his siblings, while his mother, who was married to Moussongela at the time, was allegedly trafficked to Canada.
He said they managed to return home in 2006 with the help of their family.
“As aggrieved persons and victims of trafficking and other violations of human rights by pastor Moussongela, we are opposing his bail granting,” he said.
“This is because trafficking of persons is not only a human right violation, but it is also an egregious transnational and international crime.
“By releasing him on bail, he is likely to continue similar or additional related offences.”
Before his arrest in June on charges of human trafficking, rape, assault by threat and incest, Moussongela previously appeared in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court in May on similar charges.
During the May appearance, it was alleged that Moussongela had trafficked five of his own children to England. He allegedly delegated someone to drop off three of these children, who were all under the age of 12, in London.
‘The Rock’ enters fray
Professional boxer Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda was one of those who demonstrated outside the court yesterday.
Ambunda claimed that one of his cousins was trafficked to London about four years ago, when she was nine years old.
He said his family never heard from her, until he made an effort to look for her this year.
“My family want this child back, but we do not know where exactly she is. When I spoke to her last month, we were only allowed to talk for 15 minutes.
“My aunt is depressed and the whole family is going through a tough time. We are also opposing his bail because we fear that if he gets out we might not get that child anymore,” Ambunda said.
Abortion claims
In June, a complainant laid new charges of human rights violation against Moussongela with the help of NamRights.
According to NamRights, the complainant is a former learner at one of Moussongela’s schools. She was allegedly trafficked to Turkey under the impression that she was going to study there, only to find out that she was taken there for prostitution.
The complainant also alleged she was sexually exploited in Namibia, fell pregnant and had an abortion.
Magistrate Peter Nangula postponed the bail hearing to 3 October, while state prosecutor Dollen Gowases, who had received the petition, said investigations against Moussongela were ongoing.
ILENI NANDJATO