Kabelo Tlhabanelo
Pastor Seth Malefetsane Radebe has been arrested after being accused of scamming his congregation of more than R3 million.
The 47-year-old pastor of Sanctuary Haven Church allegedly convinced his congregants to pay him up to R1 million, which he then promised to invest and double their returns.
Scrolla.Africa spoke with one victim who lost R300,000.
The 53-year-old woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was paid the sum of money after she resigned at work.
“I had my money invested in one of the well-known financial institutions when he said those companies were just exploiting the people.”
The woman said Pastor Radebe told her that she could get more returns if she invested with him.
“I called my broker and I deposited the money in 2016. I was shocked when [Pastor Radebe] asked me not to tell anyone but I trusted him,” she said.
But the pastor apparently began living an increasingly lavish lifestyle, which led the woman to believe he was a smart, innocent and successful man.
“When months passed without me getting any evidence that I had invested, my suspicions grew.”
After clocking on to the woman’s suspicions, the pastor then apparently gave sermons to the Sanctuary Haven congregation that were specifically directed at her.
“I was shocked to see that he even conned one member of R1 million. He is not a pastor of God. He is a pastor of Satan,” she said.
Free State Hawks spokesperson Captain Christopher Singo said it is alleged that in 2013, the suspect encouraged members of his church to invest in his company with a promise of lucrative returns. “Unfortunately, the victims did not receive their money as agreed and he was charged with fraud.“
NPA spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said Pastor Radebe appeared before the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where he faced allegations of fraud. The case has been postponed to 15 October 2021 after he was granted R10,000 bail.
Scrolla.Africa could not reach the pastor for comment as both of his cell phones were switched off.
