Office of the Premier denies shielding 'sex pest' pastor

THE OFFICE of the Premier (OTP) has denied protecting a clergyman employed in its ranks or attempting to suppress "disturbing allegations" of a sexual nature against him.

This follows after a 26-year-old volunteer with the Moral Regeneration Programme laid a sexual assault charge against the religious leader on April 5. 

The head of communications at the OTP, Monwabisi Nkompela, said the office was at the forefront of fighting any form of violence against women, children and vulnerable members of society.

“We want to state it categorically clear that we are not in the business of shielding, protecting and suppressing any wrongdoing or criminal actions of anyone in the OTP or the provincial government,” said Nkompela.

He insisted the OTP was not shielding any “sex pest” within its employment. 

“The assertion is unfounded, baseless and devoid of the truth. Colleagues employed at the OTP are highly professional and skilled individuals who subscribe to the highest standards of ethics and morality. As the OTP, we will monitor this and other related incidents very closely, so that we can ensure that we win the war on gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).” 

Nkompela added that the provincial government had made significant strides in combating GBVF.

“The OTP are the custodians of the national strategic plan on GBVF and its implementation, which is done in partnership with civil society organisations, and our work is continuing in this regard.” 

He pointed out that, according to crime statistics presented by Premier Zamani Saul during his State of the Province Address in March 2025, the Northern Cape had recorded a decline in the number of sexual offences over the past three quarters compared to the same period last year.

“Whilst there has been a slight 2.1 percent decline in reported rape cases, with 321 incidents recorded, this figure remains far too high. We need to send out a strong message to all perpetrators of GBVF that we will not sit idly whilst heinous crimes are being committed in our communities. We will act harshly to eliminate the scourge of GBVF.

“Therefore, the OTP has and will not hide perpetrators of GBVF. We will act in accordance with the laws, procedures, and policies of government in bringing perpetrators to account for their actions.

“We will also guard against individuals who want to weaponise this serious matter because we cannot allow our gains and strides to be reversed,” Nkompela added.