14 Nov 2025

 Senior Magistrate Queen Moanga of Mochudi Magistrate Court has sentenced Goitsekgosi Mojadigo, pastor of The Divine Anointing Church International, to 20 years imprisonment for rape.

Delivering the judgment in Mochudi on November 14, Ms Moanga confirmed that Mojadigo was convicted on a single count of rape, saying the offence committed in 2023, carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years or eight years in matters involving minors.

“This court is unable to balance the extent of exceptional circumstances. Therefore, the court will not go under the minimum sentence,” she ruled.

She further condemned Mojadigo’s abuse of pastoral authority and his exploitation of a vulnerable young woman.

She emphasised the importance of balancing the interests of both society and the offender, while ensuring the sanction communicates the seriousness of rape.

“Rape brings discomfort in society. The justice system must rise to the occasion by giving sentences that are commensurate with the offence.”

The Magistrate said what made this case particularly disturbing was that the offence was committed by a pastor, someone expected to offer counsel and safety.

“Ordinarily, a church is considered a place of safety. People flock to pastors for comfort. Instead, the accused used his position to further violate a young woman who had already confided in him about her previous trauma.”

She described this as ‘the most wicked way of using the word of God’ and ruled that Mojadigo’s abuse of spiritual authority was a serious aggravating factor.

Even though Mojadigo declined to make any mitigation submissions, telling the court he had nothing to say, he however asked the court to consider the period he had been remanded in custody, but Magistrate said he was not remanded in this particular case only in another matter still before the court.

The magistrate said she had considered the prosecution’s submissions, Mojadigo’s previous convictions, and his HIV test results as part of the sentencing process. ENDS