Conviction New religious movements Satanic-branded violence Krugersdorp, Gauteng, South Africa · 2019

South Africa: 'Electus per Deus' leader given thirteen life sentences over eleven killings

Record class

Core record

Evidence status

Convicted

Authority role

Cecilia Steyn, leader of the 'Electus per Deus' (Chosen by God) group, claiming occult and spiritual-warfare authority

Organization

'Electus per Deus'

Spiritual nexus

CORE for the inside victims: members killed on the direction of the woman whose claimed spiritual authority organised the group, with several victims drawn from members' own households — the authority ran the killing, exactly as the criterion describes.

Violent occult ideology or sacrifice
Prophecy or divine command

Evidence structure

Proceedings

2019-08-19 · convictions and sentences

Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, South Africa. Convicted in June 2019 and sentenced on 19 August 2019, Cecilia Steyn received thirteen life sentences plus 155 years, Zak Valentine eight life sentences plus 93 years, and Marcel Steyn seven life sentences plus 144 years, for eleven murders committed between 2012 and 2016 alongside fraud and robbery counts. Other participants, including Marinda Steyn, were convicted in earlier separate proceedings. The prosecuting authority documented the group's operation under Cecilia Steyn's claimed spiritual authority.

Documented coercion mechanisms

members directed to kill under the leader's claimed spiritual authority
victims drawn from members' own families and households

Primary record

Sources

official prosecutor release sentencing release National Prosecuting Authority: 'Indefinite Life Sentences for Krugersdorp's Electus Per Deus Cult'.: The prosecuting authority's own sentencing release.
national newspaper court reporting sentencing report News24: sentencing report.: National corroboration.

Related record

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