He was released on R2 000 bail by the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court. It is alleged that the incident happened in 2018 and that the victim was a former employee at Makamu's church. Popular TV presenter Bishop Israel Makamu, who has been charged with sexual assault, was released on R2 000 bail by the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court. Makamu, who briefly appeared in court on Wednesday, was charged after a former employee of his church laid a complaint of sexual assault on 19 May 2021 at the Brackendowns SAPS, said regional National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane. She said the case related to an incident that allegedly happened in his church office in Alrode during September 2018.