A northern KwaZulu-Natal pastor has begun serving two life sentences for the rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele, said the Ulundi Reginal Court ordered well-known minister Menzi Computer Madela to go to jail for raping the girl in 2018 at Emabeka in Ulundi.

Mbele said in September 2018, the pastor was caught raping the girl in a field.

The child’s mother reported the 47-year-old pastor to the police. 

After an intensive investigation, Madela was arrested and made several appearances in court.

Mbele said Madele was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. 

His name will be included in the Sexual Offenders Register and he is not allowed to work with children in future.