Sex scandal: South African pastor arrested for allegedly raping minor

Bishop Meshack Molefi Phofedi of the New Babillon Apostolic Church in Evaton West, South Africa, appeared before the Sebokeng Regional Court on Tuesday March 4, 2025.

Bishop Phofedi is facing a charge of rape for allegedly raping the minor multiple times.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on August 16, 2024, the child, her parents and the pastor were returning from a spiritual ritual in Clearence, Free State.

When they stopped at a filling station for the victim to use the restroom, the pastor allegedly followed her inside and raped her.

Meanwhile, her parents waited in the car, unaware of the incident.

Following this incident, it was reported that the Pastor asked the victim’s mother to bring the girl to church for prayer sessions.

On several occasions between August 2024 and January 2025, it is alleged that the pastor would rape the girl during the sessions, while her mother waited outside.

The abuse was discovered after the victim developed infections and shared her ordeal with her sister.

The sister then alerted their parents, and the mother confronted the pastor and reported the matter to the police.

On Monday, March 2, the pastor was arrested, and made his first court appearance the following day, being March 3, 2025.

The case was adjourned to March 13 for a formal bail application, which the state intends to oppose.

NPA reaffirms commitment to prosecuting gender-based violence cases, while ensuring that the perpetrators face justice.

The NPA focuses on prosecuting serious crimes, including corruption, organized crime, and sexual offenses.

It said that its primary responsibility is to ensure that justice is served.

Bishop Meshack Molefi Phofedi

About Bishop Meshack Molefi Phofedi

Bishop Meshack Molefi Phofedi is a prominent religious leader in South Africa.

He is known for his role in the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), one of the largest African-initiated churches in the country.

The ZCC is renowned for its significant following and its annual Easter pilgrimage to Moria, Limpopo.

The pilgrimage attracts millions of worshippers.

Bishop Phofedi has been a key figure in the church, contributing to its spiritual guidance and community development initiatives.

The ZCC, under leaders like Phofedi, emphasizes faith healing, moral living, and communal support.

It claims that it plays a vital role in the lives of its members.

Rapes and pastors

Observers have noted that rape case are serious and sensitive topic involving allegations of misconduct by a religious leaders.

They stress that cases of pastors or religious figures being accused of crimes, such as the abuse of minors, are deeply troubling.

These cases have significant consequences for the victims, their families, and the communities involved.

Incidentally, the rape case involving Bishop Phofedi is not the first of its kind in South Africa.

On August 12, 2022, a pastor, Lucky Mfanivele Magagula, was sentenced to two life terms for rape of children.

According to report, Pastor Magagula turned bible studies and choir practices with minors into sexual grooming sessions.

The Pretoria High Court sitting in Benoni Magistrate’s Court, sentenced the randy pastor, aged 36, to two life terms for rape.

The court was told that Magagula exposed children to pornography and sexual assault.

He also reportedly exposed his genitals to children and sexually grooming six minor children, aged 3,4,6,8,9 years old.

NPA reported that the Judge ordered that the pastor’s name be added to the national register for sexual offenders and that he be declared unfit to possess a firearm.

“This is after Judge Jay Monyemangeni, found him guilty of 3 counts of rape, 5 counts of exposing children to pornography, 6 counts of sexual assault, and 4 counts of exposing genitals to children and sexual grooming on 05 August 2022,” NPA said.

Magagula was a Pastor of Itshe Lengumbi Church, in Barcelona, a small community where all his victims reside.

Investigation also revealed that he raped the 8 and the 9-year-old minors.

He further sexually assaulted and sexually groomed them together with 3 others between 2020 and 2021.

The incidences happened when they went to his house for choir practice and bible study.

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