A pastor has been arrested by the police in South Africa after being accused of raping three little girls in his church.

According to reports, the suspect began raping the 10-year-old girl in January, together with two of her friends, each aged seven. He allegedly threatened to have them killed if they told anyone about the act.

The girls were tied and raped in front of one another before the truth came to light on March 4. The church building where the alleged rape took place was torn down by angry residents.

The mother of one of the victims said that the man lured the children with money and then sealed their mouths and tied their hands with tape. She added that the man had destroyed the children, and every time she thinks about it, she ends up downing a bottle of alcohol.

The suspect was arrested and appeared in court on rape-related accusations, according to a police spokesman.