A 34-year-old Zimbabwean pastor and gospel singer, Walter Chahwanda, has been convicted of 17 sexual offences against children and young women following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court. The jury returned guilty verdicts on 3 February 2026 after deliberating on charges spanning a four-year period of offending.
Chahwanda, formerly a pastor with the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church in the United Kingdom, abused his position of trust and authority within religious communities to target vulnerable victims across the country. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), he initially encountered many of his victims through church activities and youth groups before moving conversations to private social media platforms, particularly Snapchat and Instagram.
Once online, Chahwanda rapidly sexualised the interactions. Prosecutors told the court that he frequently commented on the physical appearance of young girls, sent unsolicited explicit images and videos of himself, and in several cases encouraged victims to expose him to the risk of discovery—behaviour the CPS described as forming part of his sexual fantasy. Victims ranged in age, with the youngest being just 14 years old at the time of the offences.
Aaron Smith, a specialist prosecutor from the CPS Mersey Cheshire Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit, outlined the gravity of the abuse in a statement following the verdict:
“Walter Chahwanda used his position as a respected Pastor to abuse a 14-year-old child and cause distress to multiple young women and children. He had no regard for their wellbeing or vulnerability and was solely focused on his own sexual gratification.”
Despite multiple victims raising concerns about Chahwanda’s behaviour with church authorities over the years, he continued offending without immediate consequence. The breakthrough came when the father of one victim contacted the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), prompting a wider police investigation. As more complainants came forward, Chahwanda was first arrested in February 2024. He was re-interviewed under caution in April 2025 as additional potential victims were identified.
During police interviews, Chahwanda denied all criminal wrongdoing, describing the sexualised exchanges as “naughty” role-play and insisting they were consensual and harmless. He stood trial accused of 22 offences relating to nine victims. After hearing evidence over several weeks, the jury convicted him on 17 counts, which included:
- Sexual activity with a child
- Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- Sending indecent images
- Other related sexual communications offences
He was acquitted on three counts, including one allegation of rape. Two charges of blackmail were not proceeded with by the prosecution.
Chahwanda, of Plemonstall Court, Chester, will return to Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing on 20 March 2026. He faces a substantial custodial sentence given the number of offences, the age of the youngest victim, the breach of trust involved, and the prolonged nature of his offending.
The CPS commended the bravery of the survivors whose testimony was central to securing the convictions. A spokesperson said:
“Without the courage of these victims in coming forward and giving evidence, Walter Chahwanda would not have been brought to justice. Their strength has ensured that a dangerous predator can no longer exploit his position to harm others.”
The case has once again highlighted the vulnerability of children and young people within religious and community settings, as well as the challenges of addressing grooming and online sexual exploitation when initial complaints are not escalated effectively. Police and child protection agencies have urged anyone with concerns about similar behaviour—whether historical or current—to come forward in confidence.
Detectives from Merseyside Police, who led the investigation, praised the victims for their resilience and cooperation throughout the lengthy judicial process. The force also acknowledged the support provided by specialist officers, independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs), and the NSPCC in helping complainants engage with the criminal justice system.
The conviction of Chahwanda, a public figure within Zimbabwean diaspora church communities in the UK and a known gospel singer, has sent shockwaves through those who knew him professionally and personally. Church leaders have yet to issue a formal statement, though sources close to the AFM have indicated that internal reviews are underway regarding safeguarding procedures.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust safeguarding policies in faith-based organisations, prompt reporting of concerning behaviour, and the need for young people to have safe channels to disclose abuse without fear of disbelief or reprisal.
Anyone in the UK who has been affected by similar offences, or who has information about non-recent abuse, is encouraged to contact police on 101, the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
