Pastor Sentenced to Life for Raping Child Congregants in Mamelodi
A pastor from Mamelodi East has been removed from society after being sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and sexual assault of two young girls who looked to him for spiritual guidance.
The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court handed down the sentence, ordering that the terms run concurrently.
The convicted pastor from the Jesus Is the Answer Ministries (JITAM) will also be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders. He was declared unfit to ever work with children or possess a firearm.
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A Betrayal of Trust on Sacred Ground
Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana detailed the chilling sequence of events that led to the pastor’s conviction. The first incident occurred in November 2021, when a 13-year-old congregant arrived early for choir practice.
The pastor, who was alone on the church premises, instructed the girl to enter the building with him. Once inside, he questioned her about her church service and promised to provide for her needs. He then proceeded to touch her inappropriately on her chest, breasts, and buttocks. The brave teenager pulled away from him, left the building, and joined other choir members as they arrived.
A Second Assault in the Victim’s Home
The pastor’s predatory behaviour escalated a few months later in April 2022. He arrived at the home of a 12-year-old congregant and, upon finding her alone, ordered her inside. According to her court evidence, he promised to marry her while touching her breasts and buttocks. He then pushed her onto a sofa, undressed both of them, and raped her before leaving the scene.
The traumatic ordeals were kept secret by both girls for approximately four months before they confided in their parents, who subsequently opened a criminal case.
Justice Served After a Denial of Guilt
Following an investigation by the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), the pastor was arrested at his home on August 30, 2022. The NPA successfully opposed his bid for bail, and he remained in custody throughout the trial.
Despite the evidence against him, the pastor pleaded not guilty. His defence claimed that the stepfather of the 12-year-old victim was fabricating the charges in an attempt to usurp his position as church pastor.
This claim was rejected by the court. State prosecutor Andries Ntjana presented compelling medical evidence from the Mamelodi Thuthuzela Care Centre, where both victims had received treatment and support. The court found the testimonies of the two young girls to be credible and consistent.