BOTHAVILLE – A 39-year-old pastor has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of repeatedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Bothaville.

Vusimuzi Xapa was sentenced on Friday, 28 August, in the Bothaville Regional Court by Magistrate Mahlatsi. He was found guilty of rape on 26 August.

The court heard that the victim, who was 14 at the time, visited a church in Bothaville in October 2023 to seek assistance for an illness. She consulted Xapa, who was a pastor at the church.

The following month, Xapa allegedly contacted the girl by telephone to enquire about her health. When she told him that she was still experiencing pain in her foot, he instructed her to come to the church alone.

When the victim arrived, Xapa took her to a room and gave her water to drink. After drinking the water, she became disoriented and subsequently lost consciousness.

She later woke during the night and found herself naked on a bed. She realised that she had been sexually assaulted.

The court heard that Xapa instructed the girl not to tell anyone about the incident.

According to the evidence before the court, Xapa subsequently contacted the victim on several occasions and instructed her to come to the church. He allegedly gave her water to drink before raping her.

The matter was eventually reported to the police and a rape case was registered.

The investigation was assigned to Warrant Officer Mandie Jacobs of the Welkom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. Xapa was subsequently arrested.

Jacobs conducted the investigation in consultation with Advocate Keke Machogo of the National Prosecuting Authority.

The Lejweleputswa District Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Tholie Afonso, commended the police members involved in the investigation for their work in securing the conviction.

Xapa was convicted of rape on 26 August and sentenced to life imprisonment on 28 August in the Bothaville Regional Court.

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