EASTERN CAPE - Bizana High Court will mete out judgement against Apostle Hlumelo Dywili (35) on 29 August 2022 after a trial that commenced in Bizana High Court on Monday, 15 August 2022. Dywili was arrested in August 2021 for numerous charges of trafficking in persons and also for a number of charges of compelling and causing a person to witness sexual offence.

Dywili was arrested in August 2021 by members of the South African Police Service in Bhizana and the matter was referred to the East London based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation for extensive probing.

The investigation revealed that four females aged between 20 and 24 had fallen victims of the apostle. Dywili allegedly used his Facebook account to lure victims under false pretences that he was going to offer them non-existent jobs. He also used Nkonjane community radio station in Flagstaff purporting himself to be an anointed prayer warrior who help people to get healed and get solutions to daily life strife. Many of his followers came forward to bear testimonies to the apostle’s divine powers as they insinuated that he had helped them with solving their health and general life problems.

Dywili made a number of attempts for bail application after his arrest and later abandoned his bail opting to remain in custody awaiting his trial. He has been remanded in custody for more than a year.

In anticipation of a positive and relevant judgement, the Provincial Head, Major General Obed Ngwenya expressed his expectation of justice being served so that a stern warning will be sent to those who are already engaging in similar criminal offences and also to the would-be perpetrators.

Source: South African Police Service