A Mashishing pastor has found himself on the wrong side of the gender-based violence struggle after being arrested on rape charges. The 47-year-old pastor is accused of raping a 24-year-old congregant.

The incident, that allegedly took place at the end of October 2025, was reported on June 11 this year.

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“A case of rape was opened at the Lydenburg police station on June 11, and was transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Mavela Masondo.

“The suspect was arrested in Lydenburg on Wednesday, July 8 and is expected to appear in the Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court soon.”

Several sources, including a senior member of the church, told Lowvelder that the woman’s parents have since been suspended from the church after being accused of ‘having touched the anointed one’. Both have refused to comment on the situation, saying they were instructed not to speak to the media.

“It is true that the parents have been suspended from the church. They are blamed for supporting their daughter in having this matter reported to the police,” said the senior church member who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.

The complainant, who has since left the church, told the police that she did not report the matter earlier because of the attached stigma and the pastor’s claims that nobody would believe her.