Masocha, 61, originally from Zimbabwe, was the founder and self-proclaimed archbishop of an international Pentecostal movement with thousands of followers across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and several African nations.

The jury at the High Court in Livingston found him guilty of sexual assault, attempted rape, and multiple indecent assaults against two separate victims, both of whom were members of his church community.

The charges stem from incidents that occurred between January 2006 and July 2012 while Masocha was leading the church he founded in 2007, with its headquarters in Stirling, Scotland.

Church Leader Claimed Divine Justification For Abuse

According to testimony, the first woman, now 39 years old, was abused by Masocha starting at age 20 while living in Stirling. At the time, she was part of his congregation and seeking spiritual support.

The victim recounted that Masocha claimed she was divinely designated for him and discouraged her from having a romantic partner, telling her she didn’t “need a boyfriend.”

During private counseling sessions, which Masocha called church “surgeries,” he told the woman that God had told him to “love her in whatever way she needed.” These sessions became opportunities for the abuse to escalate.

Physical Abuse Reportedly Escalated Over Time

The first incidents involved Masocha forcing his tongue into her mouth without consent. Over time, the acts became more invasive and violent, culminating in an attempted rape, where he pulled down the woman’s trousers and underwear.

Another incident occurred at his £500,000 Sauchieburn mansion, where the woman told the court Masocha forced her hand onto his clothed genitals. The testimony was supported by statements from her husband, who claimed the couple later confronted the pastor.

Following the confrontation using cultural norms from Zimbabwe, Masocha reportedly expressed remorse, telling the couple, “I’m sorry I loved you too much,” while lying face-down in apology.

Second Victim Also Claims Spiritual Manipulation

The second woman, now 58, said she initially sought Masocha’s help to resolve her husband’s immigration issues. She testified that Masocha soon began abusing her under the guise of religious rituals.

He told the woman that she had been given to him as a spiritual gift and that the inappropriate contact was part of a “blessing” process. These acts included groping and kissing, which he framed as a method for exorcising demons.

Prosecutor Michael MacIntosh told the jury that Masocha used his spiritual authority to exploit women who trusted him, stating he “preyed on women” who believed he was guiding them religiously.

Public Persona Contrasts With Private Misconduct

Masocha held himself up as a divinely inspired leader, referring to himself as a prophet and earning a salary similar to that of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He traveled frequently, ministering to branches of his church around the globe.

Members of the Agape church often referred to him as “the prophet,” “the apostle,” or “a man of God.” His role gave him unrestricted access to vulnerable members of his church seeking personal or spiritual guidance.

Throughout the trial, Masocha denied all allegations and accused the victims of fabricating their statements. He was found guilty by a unanimous verdict on most charges, with a majority verdict reached on the attempted rape count.

Prior Conviction Adds Context To Case

This is not the first time Masocha has faced legal consequences for similar conduct. In 2015, he was convicted of groping a church worker and inappropriately touching a school-aged girl from his congregation, though that conviction was later overturned on appeal.

Despite the overturned case, the current court proceedings considered the extent and pattern of behavior spanning several years. Judge Susan Craig immediately revoked Masocha’s bail and remanded him into custody.

The court is now awaiting background reports and a formal risk assessment ahead of the sentencing hearing, scheduled for July 28, 2025. Given the seriousness and duration of the offenses, the judge indicated that Masocha may be added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.