State outlines a calculated pattern of abuse as community gathers in protest

The atmosphere inside the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court was tense and emotional as startling new allegations were laid bare during the bail hearing of Bayview pastor Sitham Baram Michael Andrew Chetty, 54. The pastor, already a convicted sex offender, is now facing fresh charges of sexual assault and rape involving an 11-year-old boy from his congregation and the State believes his behaviour follows a disturbing and deliberate pattern.

Calculated grooming and betrayal of trust

According to State prosecutor Dayantha Subrayadu, Chetty’s approach was methodical: he would embed himself in families’ lives, earning their trust as a spiritual leader, before isolating and sexually grooming their children.

“He strategically positions himself in their lives, under the guise of church service and spiritual mentorship,” Subrayadu said. “Then, under the cover of that trust, he slowly manipulates, isolates, and abuses.”

This chilling strategy mirrored Chetty’s previous conviction in 2018 also involving a minor from his church. But this time, the charges are more serious: rape, not just sexual assault.

Escalating behaviour and rising community anger

The prosecutor warned the court that Chetty’s conduct had escalated in severity since his last conviction. “It’s not a one-time lapse in judgment,” she said. “It’s a repeated, worsening pattern. And the community knows it.”

The courtroom has seen a visible show of community resistance. On March 27, when Chetty first appeared for bail, a crowd of angry residents and community leaders gathered outside. They have returned again and again in support of the victims.

“These are people with jobs and children, but they still show up,” Subrayadu noted. “They are sending a message: there is no place in our society for a sexual predator hiding behind the cloth.”

Public backlash and safety concerns

The State also raised serious safety concerns if Chetty were to be granted bail. His alternative address in Phoenix has been publicly mentioned multiple times, making it easy for enraged members of the public to find him.

“His face is now known across the country through national news,” Subrayadu said. “We fear for his safety, and we believe there’s a real risk of mob justice.”

More than a legal case a community in mourning

For many in Bayview and surrounding areas, this case cuts deeper than a criminal trial. It represents a crisis of faith and trust. That a man trusted to provide spiritual guidance could allegedly exploit his authority to groom and abuse children has shattered families and rocked a close-knit community.

The court heard how the latest victim eventually confided in family, a moment that, according to the State, mirrors the pattern of trauma and eventual disclosure seen in previous victims.

A justice system under pressure

As the bail hearing continues, the pressure on the justice system to act decisively is growing. South Africa has seen far too many cases where accused abusers evade justice due to procedural missteps or lack of follow-through. This case, involving a repeat offender and vulnerable victims, is shaping up to be a test of both legal accountability and moral resolve.

The bail hearing resumes today (Thursday). For the community of Bayview and beyond, the question now is: Will the system protect the innocent or give a second chance to a man accused of destroying lives under the cover of faith?

{Source: IOL}

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