Scottish Pastor Convicted of Sexual Assault and Exorcism-Related Abuse
A former church pastor in Scotland has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women in incidents linked to his controversial exorcism practices. Walter Masocha, 61, who once led an international religious organization he established, was convicted on several charges that spanned six years.
Case Details and Charges
A jury at the High Court in Livingston delivered a verdict against Masocha, originally from Zimbabwe, for attempted rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault against one woman, and an additional indecent assault against another. The assaults allegedly occurred between January 2006 and July 2012.
The court learned that Masocha’s behavior was part of his so-called “healing sessions,” during which he claimed divine instruction to act on his impulses. His actions, described as both manipulative and abusive, have left a lasting impact on the victims involved.
Victim Testimonies
The first victim, now 39, recounted that the abuse began when she was 20 and residing in Stirling. According to her testimony, Masocha repeatedly told her that God had given her to him and that she did not require a boyfriend. During these sessions, he allegedly initiated the abuse by forcefully engaging with her, progressing from unwanted physical contact to an attempted rape in his own residence. In one disturbing incident, she described being obliged to touch him and having her boundaries severely violated during a private encounter in his home, a property reportedly valued at a considerable sum.
Testimony from her husband added to the dramatic nature of the events. He explained that they confronted Masocha following a traditional process of holding elders accountable, only for the pastor to respond by prostrating himself and apologizing in a deeply unsettling manner.
The second victim, 58, provided details of an incident that occurred nearly two decades earlier. She had approached Masocha for prayer regarding her husband’s immigration issues. During the session, he asserted that she was handed over to him by divine will, and he inappropriately touched her while claiming to bestow blessings in exchange for her submission.
Background and Church Leadership
Masocha, who once served as a university lecturer in accounting at Stirling University, transitioned into religious leadership by founding the Agape for All Nations Church in 2007. His Pentecostal ministry expanded significantly over time, drawing more than 2,000 members from across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and several African nations.
Assuming grand titles such as “archbishop” and “prophet,” he was known among his followers for living an extravagant lifestyle that involved frequent international travel. Within his congregation, he was venerated with honorifics including “the prophet” and “a man of God.”
Legal Proceedings and Prior History
Following the jury’s decision in Livingston, Masocha was taken back into custody ahead of a sentencing set for later in the summer. The presiding judge warned that his name might remain on the sex offenders register permanently, given the severity and duration of the alleged crimes. Although Masocha maintained his innocence—denying all allegations and suggesting that the victims were fabricating stories—the evidence presented during the trial painted a damning picture of his manipulative abuse of trusted women.
Additionally, court documents revealed that in 2015 he had been convicted of related offenses at his church, including incidents involving a church deaconess and another minor under the guise of exorcism. Although that earlier conviction was later overturned on grounds of judicial error, it cast a long shadow over his record.
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