On Monday, July 11, agents from the Serial and Electronic Crimes Investigation Unit and the local FCS unit detained a Worcester woman for a series of horrific crimes. According to authorities, the suspect is the senior pastor of a church in the Western Cape town.
The female pastor was detained and accused with five counts of human trafficking, two acts of rape, and one hundred counts of possessing and producing child pornography, according to police spokeswoman Ndakhe Gwala.
“Between 2016 and 2022, the suspect deceived parents of three children to allow their kids to sleepover at her place of residence,” said Gwala.
The woman reportedly gave the children drugs, removed their clothing, and snapped pictures of their naked bodies during these sleepovers.
According to one of the victims, the pastor allegedly confined her in a bedroom and told her to undress, telling her not to feel uncomfortable because “they both are females.” The preacher then started taking pictures of her.
The pastor’s husband is also a prior felon, according to the police investigation. For the rape of young children, they each received a 15-year sentence.
“The husband’s involvement in this case is under investigation,” said Gwala.
The pastor was detained on Monday, and on Wednesday, she appeared for the first time at Worcester Magistrate’s Court. The case was continued to July 19 where she is anticipated to submit an official bail application.