This is a news report detailing the conviction and sentencing of Walter Masocha, who was found guilty of sexual abuse against multiple parishioners. Here’s a breakdown of the key information:
The Accused: Walter Masocha, founder and archbishop of Agape for All Nations Church, which he established in Scotland in 2007 after moving from Zimbabwe. The church grew to over 2,000 members internationally.
The Crimes: Masocha was convicted of sexual abuse, including attempted rape, against multiple parishioners over several years. The report highlights that he exploited his position of religious authority and the complete faith his followers had in him to access and assault them.
Key Evidence:
The jury believed Masocha engaged in a sustained course of sexual abuse.
Testimonies from two additional women, one a teenager and the other a mature woman, supported the current trial, even though earlier convictions based on their cases were overturned due to legal misdirection.
Judge Craig noted that the attempted rape was not due to moral restraint but physical inability, and the victim’s age made the offense no less serious.
Masocha’s Defense: Masocha denied all wrongdoing, blaming the victims and alleging a conspiracy against him. Though, the judge found no evidence to support these claims.
Pre-Sentencing Report: The report revealed Masocha continued to deny duty, showed no empathy for victims, and disturbingly continued preaching while on remand, which the court found particularly troubling given his abuse of religion.
The Sentence:
A lengthy custodial sentence.
Backdated to July 2, 2025 (date of remand).
Four years of strict supervision upon release.
Mandatory offense-focused rehabilitation.
Strict control over any future involvement in faith-based activity.
Indefinite Non-Harassment Orders prohibiting contact with victims.
Placement on the sex offenders register for life.
* Official barring from working with vulnerable groups.
Judge’s Remarks: Judge Craig stated that Masocha’s respectable public image was a calculated deception and that the seriousness of the offenses and the ongoing risk he poses necessitated a lengthy sentence. He also noted that Masocha’s name would likely appear on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Prosecution’s Statement: Advocate depute Michael McIntosh described Masocha as a predator who believed his power and position made him immune from suspicion.
Impact: The case has significantly impacted the faith community, highlighting how religious authority can be misused for abuse. Prosecutors believe masocha’s manipulative use of spiritual language and status allowed him to offend for years without accountability.
Victim’s perspective: One victim stated that most church members viewed Masocha as a father figure and called him “dad” or “Daddy.”