From trusted leader to accused: Dobsonville pastor in child rape case

Residents in Dobsonville say the 58-year-old pastor accused of raping a 12-year-old girl was widely regarded as a trusted and influential figure in the community.

A disturbing video linked to the case, showing the young girl lying naked on a table and appearing dazed while a woman confronts a man she accuses of sexual assault, has been widely circulated on social media, sparking outrage.

Scores of residents, activists and members of various political parties gathered outside the Roodepoort Magistrate’s court, where the pastor who is also an ANC member briefly appeared.

It is reported that the victim and the accused, who is also a deacon in the church, are neighbours.

Community leader, Mandla Nqayi, says the accused’s home was one of the few in the area with electricity, making it a gathering point for residents, particularly children.

“So normally neighbours would come there, especially the kids, they would come and use their wi-fi, and some of the members would come and ask to cook there. Remember that he had a functional fridge, so he’d keep food for them within his refrigerator. So yeah, that’s how they knew each other.

“I mean, really now, it was quite a disappointing experience for the family and also for the victim, actually. And I remember that this is a respected man of the community, highly prominent, highly educated, and he was trusted with these kids, actually, even helped them to do their homework.”

Meanwhile, community activists have slammed political parties for allegedly using the situation as a political gimmick for campaigning.

Speaking outside court, activist Botlhale Modisane, says government has failed women and children in the fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide.

“The most disgusting thing that we have seen today is how this has quickly turned into a political campaign, how we have seen political parties literally going at each other and pulling each other apart, meaning that we are not all here for the same purpose. We are not all here to say the same purpose. We’re not here to serve, to support the child and the family.

“This has all turned into an absolutely disgusting political spectrum and campaign and we cannot have this. All the political parties might as well just stay the hell away from this place and let us do what we normally do. This is not new to us.”

The matter has been postponed to April 22.

We are not angry enough as a community.‼️

The people of Dobsonville should have 🔥 his house down and put a necklace on him.

This can not be forgiven, Tshepo Ntsimane is not human and should not live amongst humans.

What was in the phone that he wanted to hide so bad as well pic.twitter.com/2uQox7m6ng

— The_Face_Less (@Nhlanhla_myth) April 11, 2026

Jail alone is not enough for this 58yr old man who raped a 12yr old in Dobsonville, jail time is not justice 💔💔💔. pic.twitter.com/VO3HUxsQys

— Koena. (@ThabaKoena) April 12, 2026

@Eskom_SA left Dobsonville without electricity for over a year & is demanding struggling families to pay R6000 for fine,Now kids that side go to perpetrator’s home for Wi-Fi & Tv,& that vulnerability was exploited.when basic need is taken, our kids pay the price. @Kgosientsho_R https://t.co/ViIzo1kjRA

— DiMamzo-Zee (@TTkgoleng) April 13, 2026

This cud have been avoided if @Eskom_SA Zola station hadn’t left Dobsonville households without electricity 4over a year,then demanded R6000 penalty frm struggling fam,due to that, kids were forced 2go to the perpetrator’s house for TV & Wi-Fi that exposed them to harm @Lesufi https://t.co/Mc1jqoE7o2

— DiMamzo-Zee (@TTkgoleng) April 13, 2026