Chris Morapedi
Chris Morapedi is a 56-year-old pastor who for many years used to
terrorize the people of Westonaria, Mogale City in South Africa.
terrorize the people of Westonaria, Mogale City in South Africa.
The man was the founder and leader of the notorious Battalions gang
which made the residents’ lives hell. However, 16 hard years in jail
changed him. Today he is a man of God and has been released on parole.
which made the residents’ lives hell. However, 16 hard years in jail
changed him. Today he is a man of God and has been released on parole.
According to Daily Sun SA, Chris used his time in prison to read
the Bible and became a pastor. Now he preaches against violence and
teaches kids to stay away from gangs.
the Bible and became a pastor. Now he preaches against violence and
teaches kids to stay away from gangs.
He told Daily Sun he had learned the hard way that crime doesn’t pay.
It started when he lost his parents at an early age and was forced
to look after his siblings. He dropped out of school to try and get
money for food, and was soon exposed to a life of crime.
to look after his siblings. He dropped out of school to try and get
money for food, and was soon exposed to a life of crime.
“It started small with petty crime and then went on to smash and grab attacks, as well as armed robberies.
“Before I knew it, I had turned into a hardened criminal. I was feared in the kasi and later formed the Battalions gang.
“We were involved in armed robberies, drug dealing, hijacking and breaking into homes and businesses.”
He was bust in 2001 after the gang broke into a house and shot the owner.
“Police chased us down and it ended in a shoot-out, but we were
arrested. While being charged the cops discovered that I had a number
of previous crimes and I was sentenced to life imprisonment. My life
changed forever.
arrested. While being charged the cops discovered that I had a number
of previous crimes and I was sentenced to life imprisonment. My life
changed forever.
“None of the people who I thought were my friends even came to visit me in jail.
“And that’s when I found God. I believe going to prison was the
best thing that could have happened to me. It gave me a lot of time to
think about my life, who I am and my mistakes.
best thing that could have happened to me. It gave me a lot of time to
think about my life, who I am and my mistakes.
“In prison I joined a church and started reading the Bible. I
know it’s going to take a lot to fix my mistakes, but I’m glad I’m on
the right path. I just want to warn the youth that crime doesn’t pay.”
know it’s going to take a lot to fix my mistakes, but I’m glad I’m on
the right path. I just want to warn the youth that crime doesn’t pay.”