Zimbabwean Pastor and Gospel Singer Convicted of 17 Offenses for Sending Explicit Videos to Minors
UK-based Zimbabwean pastor, Walter Chahwanda, 34, has been found guilty of sending explicit videos to children he encountered through his church activities.
He claimed the messages were simply “naughty” role play, according to prosecutors.
Chahwanda worked at the Apostolic Faith Mission before creating his own church, the Sound of Dominion, in Liverpool.
He met children during his church activities, then connected with them online. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated that he would chat with these children before abruptly sending them explicit images for his own pleasure.
Chahwanda has been convicted of 17 offenses, including sexually assaulting a child under 14, after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Over four years, he targeted nine victims, predominantly young women, using social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to engage in inappropriate conversations that often turned sexual.
The victims reported feeling shocked and confused as he pressured them into discussing their experiences. The CPS noted that the fear of being caught seemed to excite Chahwanda.
The church was informed about his actions, but he continued to send the images. One victim’s father reported him to the NSPCC, and other victims also reached out to the police for support.
Arrested in February 2024, Chahwanda denied the allegations but acknowledged having “sexualized” conversations online, which he dismissed as harmless.
Aaron Smith from the CPS stated that while Chahwanda believed he was risking everything, the real victims felt trapped and disgusted by his actions.
According to BBC, Chahwanda pleaded not guilty to 22 charges but was found guilty of several offenses, including five counts of sexual activity with a child and six counts of sending indecent images. He was acquitted of charges such as rape and assault.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20.
