The Ulundi Regional Court today sentenced Pastor Sibusiso Nyathikazi (40) to 20 years imprisonment for two counts of rape.
Nyathikazi, who was a spiritual guardian to the 19-year-old victim, first raped her in his house in Nqutu in 2018. After the pastor raped the young woman, he instructed her not to tell anyone about it as it would destroy his reputation as a pastor. The traumatised victim told no one and continued going to church as if nothing had happened. The pastor, who was entrusted to pray for the victim when she was not feeling well, raped the victim again while they were attending another church service in Washbank in 2018. This time the victim reported the incident to her shocked family. A case of rape was opened at Ulundi SAPS and the docket was transferred to the Ulundi Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation. The accused was arrested and made several court appearances until he was convicted and sentenced.
