Cape Town — November 30, 2025
A Cape Town pastor has ignited widespread controversy after several WhatsApp videos circulated over the weekend, drawing sharp criticism from community members, religious leaders, and civil society organisations. The videos — which spread rapidly across WhatsApp groups in Cape Town’s northern and southern suburbs — show the pastor making statements that many have described as “divisive,” “exploitative,” and “deeply unchristian.”
While the identity of the pastor has not yet been officially confirmed by authorities, congregants from the church in question have acknowledged that the individual in the videos appears to be their spiritual leader. In the clips, recorded during a midweek service, the pastor can be heard making bold claims about personal “divine authority,” issuing threats of spiritual punishment to those who question him, and allegedly soliciting large financial contributions from congregants under the guise of “urgent prophetic instruction.”
The videos triggered a wave of concern on social media, with thousands of users calling for an investigation into the pastor’s conduct. By Sunday morning, the controversy had spilled onto mainstream media platforms, prompting commentary from prominent religious councils.
According to witnesses from the congregation, the pastor’s behaviour had been escalating for months, but many feared speaking out.
“We were told that challenging him meant challenging God,” said one congregant, who asked not to be named for fear of backlash.
“These videos finally show the country what we have been dealing with.”
While the identity of the pastor has not yet been officially confirmed by authorities, congregants from the church in question have acknowledged that the individual in the videos appears to be their spiritual leader. In the clips, recorded during a midweek service, the pastor can be heard making bold claims about personal “divine authority,” issuing threats of spiritual punishment to those who question him, and allegedly soliciting large financial contributions from congregants under the guise of “urgent prophetic instruction.”
The videos triggered a wave of concern on social media, with thousands of users calling for an investigation into the pastor’s conduct. By Sunday morning, the controversy had spilled onto mainstream media platforms, prompting commentary from prominent religious councils.
According to witnesses from the congregation, the pastor’s behaviour had been escalating for months, but many feared speaking out.
“We were told that challenging him meant challenging God,” said one congregant, who asked not to be named for fear of backlash.
“These videos finally show the country what we have been dealing with.”
Religious oversight bodies have weighed in as well. The South African Council of Churches (SACC) released a brief statement calling for calm, while urging church communities to “uphold accountability and transparency within all spiritual institutions.”
Civil society activists have also demanded that law enforcement agencies review the videos for potential exploitation or psychological manipulation. Some legal experts say the content may fall under existing laws that regulate harmful or fraudulent religious practices, though a formal investigation has not yet been announced.
Meanwhile, outside the church premises in Cape Town on Sunday, congregants appeared divided. Supporters of the pastor described the videos as “misunderstood,” insisting they were taken out of context.
“People don’t understand spiritual things,” said a church member defending the pastor.
“We know his heart. The videos don’t show the whole story.”
Others, however, expressed shock and disappointment after witnessing the recordings.
The church leadership has not released an official statement, and attempts to contact the pastor for comment were unsuccessful.
As public debate continues to intensify, faith leaders across Cape Town have urged caution, encouraging the public to avoid mob justice and wait for proper investigations.
Still, many South Africans say the incident highlights a broader issue: the growing number of religious controversies involving charismatic leaders, unregulated ministries, and vulnerable congregants.
For now, the videos continue to circulate widely, ensuring the controversy remains at the centre of public attention as authorities consider their next steps.
