Pastors From Hell – News

32 children raped and sexually abused by pastors in four years

Just when she thought she had finally found a safe place to receive an education and her daily dose of the gospel, the ten-year-old from Opuwo had a rude awakening.

She was washing dishes while her pastor (50) kissed her, took off his pants and showed her his genitals.

“I was in the kitchen washing dishes when he tried to kiss me, which I refused. Then he pulled his pants halfway down and exposed his genitals…” the girl told police.

The case of German missionary Flick Ramon, who sexually abused minors, attracted widespread attention in 2021 and is still under investigation.

The Namibian has obtained statements from some of his alleged victims through official police reports.

A review of years of police reports from across the country paints a shocking picture of sexually abusive pastors from several churches. In one case, a nine-year-old child was even involved.

In some cases, the pastors’ congregations were not aware of the criminal charges brought against the “men of God.”

THE FIGURES

Statistics from Inspector General of Police Joseph Shikongo show that nine pastors or prophets have been arrested in connection with rape and sexual assault since 2021, with more than 30 children affected. The Khomas region recorded the most cases of sexual assault since 2021, with five cases.

The Omusati region reported three and the Kavango West region reported one.

Among the cases involving minors and adolescents since 2021, there were four victims between the ages of 9 and 12 and four teenagers between the ages of 17 and 19.

Deputy Commissioner Catherine Walaula, head of the police’s gender-based violence protection unit, said yesterday that rape means any penetration of any part of the body with genitals or objects.

She defined sexual assault as any unwanted sexual act, such as touching and kissing.

Walaula said exposing a minor to pornography and sexual acts, including discussion of sex, amounts to the term “grooming.”

“PAPA RAMON”

Ramon, better known as “Papa Ramon,” founded Hope Kids, an orphanage in the Kunene region to provide free education to needy children.

Since 40% of children in the Kunene region are poor, most children cannot afford education.

Kunene Deputy Criminal Investigation Coordinator Paavo Iyambo said Ramon allegedly convinced parents to separate from their children by offering them free education.

The missionary is currently accused of sexual exploitation and abuse of eleven children between the ages of five and eleven, says Iyambo.

“It is alleged that the suspect inappropriately touched the girls’ private parts and took nude photographs of some of them during their stay at the suspect’s apartment,” he says.

Ramon was arrested in 2021 after the girls, parents and community members involved reported him and a case of pedophilia was opened, Iyambo says.

The suspect appeared in court on November 29, 2021 and was released on N$50,000 bail in January 2022. Bail conditions included surrendering his passport to the police.

In October 2022, Ramon was arrested again after allegedly sexually abusing eight more girls.

MEN OF THE FABRIC

Ramon’s case is not an isolated one.

In 2019, a 17-year-old girl from the Ohangwena region told police that Pastor Onesmus Angula of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (Elcin) had repeatedly raped her over a period of eight months.

The “man of God” allegedly then gave her contraceptives.

Angula was later arrested by police.

In the same year, Pastor Marvin Damaseb (39) of the Holy Ghost Fire Ministry was arrested for the alleged kidnapping and rape of a girl (13) from Walvis Bay.

Paulus Panduleni of the Burning Fire Ministry Church in Swakopmund was accused of attacking, kidnapping and raping congregation members in 2019.

He allegedly locked one of his victims in his room and abused her there for three weeks.

In 2019, a pastor from Okahandja was arrested for incest and rape.

He is accused of impregnating his daughter.

TELL SOMEONE

Elizabeth Viall, senior social worker at the One Economy Foundation, says that when an attacker is in a position of power, such as a pastor, victims often fear that no one will believe them.

“It will be a difficult road, but telling someone about it is the beginning of the journey to recovery,” she says.

The #BeFree Campus offers young people aged 13 to 35 free access to a counsellor, a clinical psychologist and a social worker.

OTHER CASES

In September 2016, a pastor from the Groot Aub settlement was accused of raping a teenage member of his congregation and of incest.

Pastor Pedro Moussongela denied the allegations but was sentenced to nine years in prison for fraud and forgery.

In 2018, church leader Jacobus Tjaveondja of St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission Church appeared before the Katutura Magistrate’s Court on charges of raping a 16-year-old boy.

This year, three women aged 24, 19 and 17 said their pastor from Okandi village in Omusati region raped them while they were cleaning his room.

Elikana David (33) appeared before the Outapi District Court earlier this year.

Judge Hafeni Kashihakumwa adjourned his case to June 12 for further police investigation.

David is charged with three counts of rape, one count of kidnapping and one count of abduction.

POLICE AFFECTED

According to Iyambo, cases of priests sexually abusing or raping minors have become problematic.

“We are raising awareness in the region and calling on all people in the community, including minors, to report cases. We have informed church and community leaders to also raise awareness through the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Alleviation and Social Welfare,” he says.

Deputy National Police Spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi says crimes against children are a major concern.

“The good thing is that the law does not discriminate and therefore all reported cases are investigated, regardless of who committed which crime,” she says.

“These cases are handled in collaboration with the social workers of the Ministry of Gender. All victims are referred to the social workers to receive psychological and emotional help.”

“Forms of child abuse must be condemned and parents must be informed about the whereabouts of their children. Young girls in particular should not be left alone when they say they go to church,” she says.

CHURCHES ARE ALSO CONCERNED

The Alliance of Christian Churches in Namibia (ACCN) believes that abuse within the church is a symptom of deeper societal problems that go beyond religious affiliation.

“The church in Namibia does not tolerate criminal activities,” says Pastor Dolly Nengushe.

“While it is important to hold individuals and institutions in the religious sphere accountable for their actions, blaming only the churches ignores the complex interplay of societal factors,” she says.

“To combat moral decay, Namibia’s judiciary must take a leading role in bringing perpetrators to justice,” says Nengushe.

Elma Dienda, leader of the Popular Democratic Movement, believes that pastors who commit such crimes should be investigated and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison.

“They are not allowed to come near children and are no longer allowed to be pastors. Unfortunately, there is no law to guide them and there are no regulations for churches in Namibia.”

“Anyone can become a pastor, and since there are no rules, that means that person can remain a pastor,” she says.

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– This report was prepared by the Namibian’s Investigations Unit. Send your news tips to [email protected]