Predatory Pastors: A Scourge In South Africa’s Churches

Absolute power corrupts absolutely; at least, this much is true according to John Dalburg, formally known as Lord Acton. In a letter to Archbishop Mandell Creighton of the Anglican Church, Lord Acton commented on the hypocrisy of how religious leaders were being judged in comparison to commoners. He went on to write, “Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority.” 

In recent years and months in South Africa, evidence of this statement can be found in cases against religious leaders like Sthembiso Nathanial Khubeka, a pastor of a Robin Hills church, Ntandoyenkosi Clark Sithole, and more recognizably, the case against pastor Timothy Omotoso. In many churches, religious leaders are revered by their congregations, almost to the degree of considering themselves second to God or Jesus. In bestowing that much power upon religious leaders, they become pseudo-saviors themselves, akin to Christ, the proverbial mouthpiece of God. 

However, as Lord Acton suggested, great men are almost always bad men. While the act of believing in God bears no immediate threat to others, the weaponization of God in church spaces often poses an extreme risk to congregants. Take the case of Sthembiso Nathaniel Khubeka for instance. His assault on young men was achieved through the promise of prayer and salvation at “revivals''. As a “trusted member of society” few saw reason not to commit to their faith through the leadership of their pastor. Khubeka abused this trust by exacting sexual advances on young men between the ages of 17 and 23. There is also something particular about his choice of victim. Religions are known to be intolerant and/or anti-gay; as such for a pastor to prey on men who would be even less likely to report the crime suggest a premeditation that sought cover in religious doctrine. 

Is any of this to say that the church should be disbanded? That pastors should not be trusted? That we should no longer believe in God? No. However, it is safe to say that the absolute power that has been entrusted to the church is to be reevaluated. For centuries, children have not been safe in the presence of powerful men; both in and out of the church. More needs to be done in watching over the children and young people being led by pastors or religious leadership that regard themselves as all knowing, capable of miracles, and the like. Of the headline making cases that have gotten guilty verdicts, a step in the right direction is the hefty sentencing. Hopefully, this communicates that to the public to scrutinize and speak up, even if it means going against a self-proclaimed “mouthpiece of God”.