CGE Welcomes Life Sentences for Serial Rapist Pastor in Child Sexual Abuse Case
Evident Makatwane 
Image Credit: CGE.ORG.ZA
Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal – 8 August 2025
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has commended the Nquthu Regional Magistrate’s Court for handing down ten life sentences to a serial rapist pastor found guilty of sexually abusing 12 children ten boys and two girls aged between 7 and 14 years old.
The convicted man, whose name is withheld to protect the identities of the victims, was sentenced on 23 July 2025 to:
- 10 life terms for nine counts of rape and one count of attempted rape
- Seven five-year terms for seven counts of sexual assault
- Seven five-year terms for exposing a child to pornography
The court applied the mandatory minimum sentences prescribed under the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, underscoring the gravity of crimes committed against minors.
“This outcome sends a clear and strong message that the justice system will respond decisively to such heinous crimes,” the CGE said in a statement. “It represents both justice for the victims and a deterrent to potential offenders.”
Manipulation and Abuse of Trust
Investigations revealed that the pastor lured children to his rented premises under the guise of offering spiritual guidance or help with tasks. He used his position of religious authority to groom and manipulate his victims, exploiting their trust and the respect traditionally accorded to community and church leaders.
The CGE expressed deep concern over the abuse of authority within religious spaces, warning that faith-based environments must adopt stronger child safeguarding protocols to prevent exploitation.
A Case Built on Cooperation
The CGE monitored the matter as part of its constitutional mandate to oversee gender-based violence (GBV) cases, working alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD).
The conviction aligns with the findings of the CGE’s 2024/25 KwaZulu-Natal investigation into the implementation of Pillar 3 of the National Strategic Plan on GBV and Femicide (NSP-GBVF), which emphasises access to justice and coordinated responses between state agencies.
The CGE also highlighted similar recent convictions of self-proclaimed religious leaders, including:
- Pastor Albert Tamasane – life imprisonment for raping an 11-year-old girl (Free State)
- Fezile Zozi – three life sentences for multiple rapes of women and minors between 2021 and 2023 (North West)
- Confidence Monyela – life imprisonment for raping minors aged 14–19 (Limpopo)
These cases, the CGE noted, expose systemic vulnerabilities that leave women and children at risk of sexual abuse under the guise of spiritual authority.
The Commission stressed the urgent need for:
- Mandatory child protection policies in all religious and community institutions
- Public awareness campaigns to empower parents and children to recognise grooming behaviours
- Stronger enforcement of vetting processes for individuals working with minors
“The abuse of trust by religious leaders not only violates victims physically and emotionally but also undermines the moral foundation of communities,” the CGE said. “It is time for systemic safeguards to ensure that such crimes can no longer hide behind the pulpit.”
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