The alarming rise of religious leaders exploiting their positions in faith communities to commit heinous acts has ignited global debates. From embezzling church funds to perpetrating sexual atrocities, many victims are left shattered, grappling for answers.
On 8 October 2025, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed a significant judicial decision as the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court sentenced a 41-year-old pastor from Jesus Is the Answer Ministries (JITAM) in Mamelodi East to life imprisonment plus five years' direct imprisonment. This ruling follows his conviction for the rape of a 12-year-old girl and the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl, both of whom were congregants at his church. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, with the pastor’s name added to the Register of Sexual Offenders. He has also been declared unfit to work with children and to possess a firearm.
The NPA’s report outlines the harrowing details of the pastor's crimes. In November 2021, the 13-year-old victim attended choir practice at church. Arriving early, she encountered the pastor, who instructed her to enter the church with him. Once inside, he began questioning her about her involvement in the church and made dubious promises of providing her with whatever she wanted. He then proceeded to touch her inappropriately, prompting her to leave the building and join other choir members.
The situation escalated on 9 April 2022, when the pastor visited the home of the 12-year-old girl. After confirming that her parents were not home, he entered the house. He complimented her and made alarming promises of marriage while touching her inappropriately. He then forcibly undressed both of them and raped her before leaving.
On 7 August 2022, while the stepfather of the 12-year-old was at church, both victims approached him, seeking guidance on what steps to take after their abuse by the pastor. That evening, the stepfather questioned the 12-year-old about their conversation, leading her to disclose the full account of the abuse. Subsequently, both parents reported the pastor to the police.
The following day, the stepfather informed the mother of the 13-year-old about the incidents. Upon confronting her daughter, the mother received similar disclosures, which prompted her to file a report with the police.
Following an investigation by the police’s Family Sexual Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), the pastor was arrested at his residence on 30 August 2022. He has remained in custody since the NPA successfully opposed his release on bail. Both victims received medical care, psychological support, and legal assistance at the Mamelodi Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC).
In court, the pastor pleaded not guilty, claiming that the stepfather of the 12-year-old was falsely accusing him due to a desire to take over his pastoral position. However, State Prosecutor Andries Ntjana presented compelling evidence, including testimony from Dr Lukhozi from TCC, who examined the 13-year-old victim. This evidence proved the pastor’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
During sentencing, the pastor’s legal representative requested a deviation from the minimum sentence, arguing that he is a first-time offender, has played a positive role in the community, and has three children to care for. He also highlighted that the pastor had been in custody since August 2022. However, Ntjana countered that rape is a violent crime that robs children of their innocence. He asserted that the pastor had committed these offences against vulnerable children who viewed him as a father figure.
Magistrate Lynn Pillay, in her sentencing remarks, agreed with the prosecution that the pastor showed no remorse and had committed serious offences prevalent in the court’s jurisdiction. She emphasised the court's responsibility to protect communities from such offenders by removing them from society. Consequently, she found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the life imprisonment sentence.
Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, commended Ntjana’s efforts, stating, “These cases provide justice and remove violent criminals from our streets.”
This case serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address the exploitation of faith and trust within religious communities, ensuring that vulnerable individuals are protected from abuse. As society grapples with the implications of such abuses, the judicial system must remain vigilant in holding perpetrators accountable.
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