PASTOR SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 12 AND 13-YEAR-OLD CHURCH CONGREGANTS
08 OCTOBER 2024
PASTOR SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 12 AND 13-YEAR-OLD CHURCH CONGREGANTS
Pretoria, Gauteng – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the life imprisonment sentence plus five years’ direct imprisonment handed down by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to a 41-year-old pastor from Jesus Is the Answer Ministries (JITAM) in Mamelodi East. This is after he was convicted of rape of a 12-year-old girl and sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl, both of whom were congregants at his church. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently with life imprisonment and that his name be entered into the Register of Sexual Offenders. He was further declared unfit to work with children and to possess a firearm.
During November 2021, the 13-year-old went to church in Mamelodi East for choir practice. When she arrived early at the church, she found the pastor in the church premises, who then approached and instructed her to enter the church building with him. After entering the building, the pastor began to question the 13-year-old about serving in church and promised to provide for her with anything she wanted. Thereafter, he began to touch her chest, breast and buttocks. The victim pulled back, walked out of the church building, and joined other church members who also came for the choir practice.
On 09 April 2022, while the 12-year-old was alone at her place of residence in Mamelodi, the pastor arrived at her home, asked her about her parents' whereabouts, and requested to enter the house. After learning that the parents of the victim were not home, he entered the house, complimented the victim, and promised to marry her while touching her breast and buttocks. Thereafter he pushed the victim on the sofa, undressed both of them and raped her before leaving.
On 07 August 2022, while the stepfather of the 12-year-old was at church, he was approached by both victims, who asked him about steps to take after being abused by the pastor. Later that day, at home, the man questioned the 12-year-old about what she and the 13-year-old had told him at church, and while being questioned, the child told the father what had happened, and both parents went to the police station and opened a case against the pastor.
On 16 August 2022, the stepfather called the mother of the 13-year-old, informing her about the incident. On the same day, the mother of the 13-year-old confronted the child and asked about the truthfulness of what the stepfather had told her, the minor then disclosed to her mother what had happened. On the same day, the mother reported the matter to the police.
After investigations by the police’s Family Sexual Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), the pastor was arrested at his place of residence on 30 August 2022 and has been in custody since the NPA successfully opposed his release on bail. Both victims were taken to Mamelodi Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC), where they received medical care, psychological and legal assistance.
In court, the pastor pleaded not guilty, claiming that the stepfather of the 12-year-old child is falsely accusing him because he wants to take his position as a pastor in the church. However, State Prosecutor, Andries Ntjana, presented compelling evidence from Dr. Lukhozi from TCC who examined the 13-year-old victim and the testimony of both victims and proved the man’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
During sentencing, through his legal representative, the pastor requested the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that he is a first-time offender who played a positive role in the community, has three children to take care of, and has been in custody since August 2022. However, Ntjana argued that rape is a serious offence that is violent by nature and takes away a child’s childhood and that the pastor committed those offenses to vulnerable children who trusted and saw him as a father. Therefore, he asked the court to impose a sentence of life imprisonment.
In sentencing, Magistrate Lynn Pillay agreed with the state that the pastor showed no remorse, he committed serious offences that are prevalent in the court's jurisdiction. Furthermore, she said it was the responsibility of the courts to protect communities from such perpetrators by removing them from the communities. Therefore she found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from imposing life imprisonment.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, commended Ntjana, stating, “These cases provide justice and remove violent criminals from our streets.” The NPA urges vigilance, prompt reporting of abuse, and support via TCCs, which offer medical, psychological, and legal aid. This case highlights parents’ critical role in recognising and acting on abuse signs.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division: Pretoria
Email: lmahanjana@npa.gov.za
Tel: 073 002 0000