A 36-year-old pastor has been sentenced to two life terms and 25 years’ imprisonment for raping minors, who were part of his church in Etwatwa in Ekurhuleni, by the Pretoria High Court at a Benoni Magistrate’s Court sitting on Friday.

Lucky Magagula of Ilitshe Church based in Barcelona was convicted on 19 counts.

The pastor received two life terms for two counts of rape, 15 years for another count of rape, three years for five counts of display of child pornography to children and five years for six counts of sexual assault.

He was further sentenced to 12 months for the four counts of display of genital organs and a count for instructing or persuading a child to perform sexual act (12 months). The sentences will run concurrently.

Wearing a black jacket with embroidered words ‘In the name of Jesus’, Magagula sat attentively as judge Jay Monyemangene handed the lengthy sentence.

It was revealed in court that the complainants all knew the accused as the local pastor of the church who taught them how to sing during choir lessons and bible teachings.

The rape incidences happened between the period of 2020 and 2021.