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	Rapist Pastor Sentenced to Life in Jail By Getrude Makhafola New Age June 8, 2011 http://www.thenewage.co.za/20069-1018-53-Rapist_pastor_sentenced_to_life_in_jail The sentencing to life of a Welkom pastor who raped a 12- year-old girl has been hailed by child advocacy groups as a strong and clear judicial message against rape and child abuse. Magistrate Thiloshni Ramdeyal in Welkom's sexual offences court sentenced the 49-year-old pastor to life in prison. The incident happened last year in Thabong township. The court concurred with the state that the accused was in a position of trust in relation to the complainant, and misused that trust. As a priest, the court found that he brought the principle of righteousness into disrepute. The pastor initially denied raping the girl, but later confessed after DNA evidence linked him to the crime. Child Line national advocacy and training manager Joan van Niekerk welcomed the sentencing. "A pastor is in a position of trust in a family and the community. When such a person commits such a horrendous crime, it destroys their confidence and the same strong beliefs. The long-term impact in this situation is that those around him would start questioning their religious beliefs and ask themselves why God would let such a thing happen," said Van Niekerk. She said the child's confidence and outlook on life had been destroyed, and that it would take some time for her to recover. The mother of the child testified about the family's trauma after the incident happened. The court heard how the pastor went to her home, and asked her mother if the girl could come to his house after school to talk about her bad behaviour at school. The mother agreed since she trusted the pastor. When the girl arrived, he raped her. The girl then informed her mother. Van Niekerk said such a case should set a precedent to other child abuse cases. "Children need protection; it becomes worse when they are abused by those who are supposed to protect them."
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