Alerted authorities to alleged sex trafficking by pastor

Pamela Mabini was a fiercely outspoken community activist against gender-based violence who was instrumental in exposing one of South Africa’s most horrific cases of alleged sexual abuse and human trafficking.

Between 2015 and 2017 the Cultural, Linguistic and Religious Rights Commission investigated malpractices taking place at churches and traditional places of worship. According to the commission, during that time it was approached by Mabini with information about alleged sexual violations and human trafficking taking place at a church operated in South Africa by a 60-year-old Nigerian televangelist. “That is how the case of Pastor Omotoso came into being,” the commission said.

Omotoso was arrested in 2017, accused of raping or sexually assaulting a number of his congregants, one reportedly since she was 14. He eventually faced 63 charges, including racketeering, human trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation, rape and sexual assault. 

Mabini provided close support to witnesses testifying against him. She also regularly attended the trial and took part in protests in support of the alleged victims.

These actions placed her and the witnesses at risk of retaliation. In 2018 there was an attempt on her life after she received death threats. The commission pointed out that through the trial, witnesses “attracted unwelcome attention, placing them in harm’s way… posing a threat to their lives. This was further exacerbated by an inefficient witness protection programme”.

Earlier this year, shortly after closing arguments were heard in the trial, Mabini was shot dead in broad daylight outside her family home in KwaZakhele township in the Eastern Cape province, which the 46-year-old shared with her mother, siblings and cousins.

Her mother, Cingiwe, rushed outside after hearing gunshots, only to discover her daugher’s lifeless body in her car parked in the driveway.

To date, no arrests have been made.

Mabini joined a long line of South African whistleblowers who paid the ultimate price for exposing the truth, including Babita Deokaran and Marumo Eric Phenya, both former Blueprint whistleblower prize winners.  

Her murder sparked widespread condemnation of the failure of the South African authorities to protect whistleblowers from harm. Human Rights Watch issued a statement saying her murder once again raised concerns about the safety of whistleblowers in South Africa “as many face retaliation, loss of livelihood, and even loss of life”.

The South African Human Rights Commission also expressed its shock at her murder, and the failure of authorities to protect her. “Mabini’s role in community activism and whistleblowing is well documented, and her protection as a whistleblower was warranted,” the commission said in a statement. “The Commission is especially alarmed that whistleblowers, who may not necessarily be witnesses, are often left unprotected and without adequate support systems, making them highly vulnerable to victimisation, intimidation, and other forms of retaliation.” It said it would engage the police for an explanation why she was not afforded protection.

Less than four weeks after Mabini’s murder, in a judgement that harshly criticised the prosecution for bungling the case, Omotoso was acquitted and subsequently returned to Nigeria. The National Prosecuting Authority has given notice that it will appeal the judgement and apply for his extradition if it succeeds.

The ruling has left Mabini’s family devastated but determined to continue the work of her charitable foundation, which assisted the destitute, needy children and women impacted by gender based violence.

“As a family, we are saying we can’t let Pamela’s good work die with her,” says her cousin and family spokesperson, Luzuko Gaxamba. “We have to continue with her legacy.”