A Free State pastor, known to his congregation for performing alleged miracles, has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for r@ping three girls after summoning them to his room under the pretext of needing help with the social media application TikTok.
The 41-year-old pastor, Sabata Mariti, was convicted on three counts of r@pe by the Free State High Court sitting in Welkom. According to police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli, the victims were part of a church group called the “Team of Prophecy,” which consisted of girls aged between 13 and 23 who were required to attend daily church sessions and frequently sleep over at his home for prayer.
The court heard that between July and August 2022, Mariti used his position of power and perceived spiritual authority to groom and exploit young female members of his church. In one incident in July 2022, he summoned three girls to his room under the false pretense of requiring assistance with TikTok.
“After one victim was instructed to rub his feet and fell asleep, she woke to find Mariti s3xually assaulting another 15-year-old girl,” Kareli stated. “The suspect then proceeded to r@pe a 17-year-old girl. The final victim, a virgin, initially refused, but Mariti returned, forced her onto the bed, and r@ped her.”
The court further heard that Mariti threatened the victims, telling them their lives and their families’ lives would be over if they disclosed the assaults. Following the r@pes, the 15-year-old victim left the church, experienced depression, and attempted to take her own life.
The case was uncovered after the 17-year-old victim’s mother discovered WhatsApp messages in which Mariti was attempting to make the girl his “wife.” The communications were preserved as evidence and reported to the police, leading to an investigation by Detective Sergeant Themba Jilimba from the Thabong SAPS family violence, child protection, and s3xual offences unit.
During the trial, Mariti maintained his innocence, claiming the girls had conspired against him. However, the state presented compelling evidence, including medical reports and the preserved WhatsApp messages, leading to his conviction.
In arguing for a severe sentence, Advocate Nel from the National Prosecuting Authority emphasized that the crime of r@pe constitutes a humiliating, degrading, and brutal invasion of the privacy, dignity, and bodily integrity of the victim. The court subsequently handed down the 55-year prison term.
