Details of a chaotic church service involving a well-known doctor emerged in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Friday, with the medical professional allegedly slapping, punching and pulling the hair of a teenager.
Dr Mfundo Mabenge, 51, who heads Dora Nginza Hospital’s gynaecology and obstetrics department, has pleaded not guilty to common assault.
The charge stems from an event at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Summerstrand, where he is an elder.
The state alleges Mabenge assaulted Abongile Bulo, 16, at the church on November 11 2017.
Thembela Sithole, who was a youth leader at the time, described how Abongile was allegedly attacked by Mabenge.
“I was asked to cut a cake for the men at the church when suddenly I noticed three girls who did not have food.
“I took my plate and gave it to one of them, as the others said they did not want. It was at this stage that Mabenge entered the [room]. I thought he was looking for me because there were no other elderly people in there,” she said.
Sithole told the court that Mabenge had spoken to Abongile and her sister, Okuhle, saying they were acting “silly” in church.
“I paid attention as he concentrated on Abongile. Mabenge’s voice was high and harsh. I noticed the child was getting scared. The child asked him what she had done wrong.
“It was then that he pointed his finger in her face and told her to stop being cheeky.“He slapped her, saying ‘you were silly in church’. I stood between them and the child got a chance to escape.”
Sithole said she had later seen Mabenge once again allegedly assault Abongile.
“He throttled the girl. I then left to call other men to intervene. By this time there was a lot of chaos, noise. Congregants were swearing in the church.
“I suggested the child and her mother leave because it was no longer safe for them.”
Sithole said that afterwards she approached Mabenge to ask what Abongile had done.
“He said they teased the visiting preacher.”
Lawyer Brian Maqungu, representing Mabenge, said his client would deny having ever assaulted Abongile.
Maqungu said there were no visible marks on Abongile to back up the assault claims.
Earlier, Zovuyo Sojola, 21, told the court how Mabenge had allegedly assaulted Abongile while she was still sitting with her friends.
“He pointed a finger at her and then slapped her across the face. Abongile then ran outside the church,” Sojola said.
Asked by Maqungu how many times Abongile had been slapped, Sojola eventually said twice.
Abongile’s mother, Kholiswa Hoyi, told the court she had seen Mabenge allegedly assault her daughter for the second time that day.
"My daughter came to me screaming that she had been assaulted. I was shocked. Soon after that Mabenge came.
“I asked him why he attacked her. He responded by saying he would do it again.
“He suddenly attacked her while I was looking. He used his open hand, fist and even pulled her hair. I was shocked.
"I was scared of this man. I could not intervene while my daughter needed help.”
Hoyi could not explain why a doctor’s medical report and a police statement failed to list any injuries.
She also revealed that prior to the alleged assault she and Mabenge had been at loggerheads and that she no longer attended the church.
Maqungu applied for an early discharge.
Judgment will be handed down on July 27.