The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) expresses its profound outrage and unequivocal condemnation of the deeply disturbing allegations of sexual abuse, grooming, rape, kidnapping and murder targeted at women and children. These allegations point to serious patterns of violations of fundamental human rights, abuse of power, complete disregard for their dignity, safety, well-being, and an extreme betrayal of trust by those in positions of authority.
Among the cases reported is that of a 60-year-old pastor in the Eastern Cape who recently appeared before the Qumbu Magistrate’s Court on multiple counts of rape and sexual grooming allegedly involving four girls between the ages of 13 and 17. The alleged offences are reported to have occurred over several years.
The Commission is equally appalled by reports implicating a pastor in Gauteng in the alleged kidnapping and murder of a four-month-old baby girl and the rape of the child’s mother. The infant was reportedly found deceased in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, while the pastor’s wife has been arrested in connection with the matter.
Further allegations include those against a priest in Pietermaritzburg who has reportedly been accused by several families of sexually grooming and abusing girls, as well as a Limpopo man who recently appeared in court on allegations relating to the sexual assault and rape of minor girls.
These incidents and attacks occur against the backdrop of South Africa’s continuing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide crisis and shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s national address outlining a renewed response to GBVF. The heartlessness of these abuses happened not long after the recent Joint Inquiry into GBVF convened by the CRL Rights Commission, the Commission for Gender Equality and the South African Human Rights Commission, which
highlighted ongoing concerns relating to reporting systems, survivor support, investigations and accountability.
While these matters remain subject to judicial processes, the allegations themselves raise serious concerns about the continued victimisation of women and children and the misuse of authority to perpetrate abuse. Such conduct is abhorrent, wholly indefensible and constitutes a serious violation of their rights, dignity and bodily integrity. Not only that it represents an immense breach of the confidence and loyalty that communities place in leaders and institutions, but also it erodes public confidence and exposes lack of accountability within and by ,,structures entrusted with their care and protection.
Furthermore, the Commission expresses concerns regarding social media reports in which a certain pastor threatened to disclose sexually explicit material involving a young girl. Undeniably, any conduct involving the creation, possession, dissemination, threatened disclosure, exploitation or weaponisation of sexually explicit material depicting a young woman constitutes intimidation, victimisation, a serious violation of their rights or welfare, and it is unlawful, reprehensible, and intolerable.
The Commission calls upon religious institutions, faith-based organisations, traditional and community leaders, families, and law-enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively whenever abuse is suspected or reported. Allegations of abuse must never be ignored, concealed, or minimised, as silence and inaction place victims at greater risk and enable perpetrators to evade accountability.
The Commission underscores that the protection of victims and survivors must take precedence over institutional interests or individual reputations. Those occupying positions of religious, cultural, or community leadership bear a heightened duty of care must uphold the highest standards of conduct to ensure that no child or woman is exposed to abuse, exploitation, or any form of harm.
The Commission further calls for the urgent strengthening of safeguarding measures across religious institutions and faith communities. This includes mandatory safeguarding policies, rigorous vetting procedures, codes of conduct, survivor-centred reporting mechanisms, child-protection protocols and independent oversight measures capable of detecting and responding to abuse at the earliest stage.
Importantly, the Commission believes that accountability cannot end with individual perpetrators. Institutions that ignore complaints, fail to protect victims, conceal wrongdoing, obstruct investigations or shield perpetrators from scrutiny must themselves be held accountable. Religious, cultural and community institutions carry a legal, ethical and moral responsibility to protect vulnerable persons. Any failure to discharge this duty constitutes a serious breach of public trust and should attract appropriate consequences.
No institution, regardless of its status, influence or standing, should be permitted to evade accountability when women and children have been harmed. Those responsible for abuse must face the full might of the law. Equally, institutions that enable, tolerate or conceal abuse must be subjected to scrutiny and held accountable for their actions or omissions.
The Commission reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the protection of women and children and expresses its solidarity with survivors and affected families. There can be no justification or impunity for perpetrators, nor any protection for those who enable or excuse abuse. Religious, cultural and community institutions are called upon to safeguard human dignity and should never become environments in which abuse is tolerated, facilitated or concealed because of institutional status, religious authority or social standing. All implicated individuals must be held fully accountable.
Issued by the CRL Rights Commission
Mpiyakhem@crlcommission.org.za / 082 527 3859
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