Pastor accused of killing a 7-year-old girl ordered not to conduct any more 'deliverance' prayers

The six people accused of killing a child during a violent exorcism were granted bail by the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court, Eastern Cape police said on Thursday.

Lt-Col Priscilla Naidu said a priest and five of his congregants were granted bail on Wednesday, and would appear in court again on December 9.

Pastor Lonwabo Hamilton Tanda, was granted R3000 bail on condition he left Humansdorp and stayed with his family in Motherwell.

Naidu said Tanda was also not allowed to conduct any “deliverance” prayers.

Four congregants were also granted R3000 bail and were not allowed to exorcise anybody during that time.

A sixth person was granted R1000 bail on the same conditions.

The church members are accused of killing a 7-year-old girl while praying for her two weeks ago.

Naidu said the parents and the church members believed the child  was possessed and had to be prayed for.

During the exorcism, they realised the girl needed medical attention and tried to take her to hospital, but she died on her way there.

On the night of the girl’s death, police found bruises on her body and had noted that her eyes were swollen.

A post mortem showed that the child had sustained internal injuries.