Daily Sun (December 15 2014) - WHEN THE sound system disappeared, the pastors accused Joseph of the theft - and he was badly beaten.
But Joseph claims he had nothing to do with the crime.
HE SAYS HE IS AN INNOCENT MAN WHO SUFFERED A PARADE OF PAIN FOR NOTHING.
Joseph Mulaudzi (29) from Vlakdrif, near Tarlton, Joburg said he was at a party when the speakers were stolen from the International Comforters Holiness Church.
"I wasn't near the church," said Joseph, who took over from his father as a gardener at the church when his father died.
"Shortly after I heard about the theft, four pastors took me to the church and started beating me. They stomped on me as if they
were at a police parade and the senior pastor punched me," said Joseph.
"Then the cops also arrived and joined in and forced me to confess to stealing from the church!"
Joseph's mum Elizabeth Mulaudzi (60) said she was at the church when the incident happened.
"I pleaded with the men of God to leave my son alone but they chased me out."
Senior church member Oupamanyana Bosman admitting to beating Joseph, but said Joseph started the fight.
"He was fighting me when we took him in for questioning. We tied him up because we didn't want him to run away," he said.
Joseph said when the police arrived, they took him into the bushes, put a plastic bag over his head and also stomped on him.
Joseph's friend David Matsoga (38) confirmed that he was with Joseph at a party when the theft happened.
Constable Lucky Matome said an assault case was opened and the allegations against cops would be investigated.
When the SunTeam tried to contact the senior pastor, he referred queries to Bosman. He said Bosman was the only one involved in the beating.
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