A former pastor and youth worker, Vusumuzi Tenga, has been sentenced to prison for his role in the supply of cocaine in Neath, South Wales. The case, which was heard at Swansea Crown Court, revealed the dramatic reversal in the fortunes of a man once committed to guiding young people away from crime. Tenga, aged 36, found himself standing before a judge as a convicted drug dealer, illustrating the unpredictable paths that lives can sometimes take.
The court heard that Tenga’s journey towards criminality began after he lost his employment during the Covid pandemic. Previously holding a degree and working in engineering, his life began to unravel following his redundancy. According to his defence, the loss of his job led to Tenga drifting towards unfavourable circles, ultimately culminating in his involvement with Class A drug supply. This was a particularly jarring contrast to his earlier community work as both a pastor and mentor for local youth, where he had been dedicated to steering others away from the dangers he would later embrace himself.
The prosecution outlined the circumstances that led to Tenga’s arrest earlier this year. During a separate drug investigation, police seized mobile phones from known drug users. Investigators discovered messages on these devices from a contact notifying recipients about the availability of drugs, using phrases such as “on” and “about”—terms associated with street-level drug dealing. The contact number was traced back to Tenga, who was already known to authorities through a previous police report he had made regarding an assault.
Upon his arrest, Tenga’s mobile phone was confiscated. Police linked his device to messages recovered from the other phones by dialling the number in question, which caused Tenga’s phone to ring. Tenga provided the PIN to his handset, further implicating himself when officers found evidence of bulk text messages advertising cocaine for sale. During police interviews, Tenga admitted to supplying drugs but insisted his actions were motivated by a desire to fund his own addiction rather than for profit.
The court was informed that Tenga had four prior convictions for eight offences, although none on the scale of the current case. His barrister, Andrew Evans, emphasised his client’s previous good character and his contributions to the community. Evans noted that Tenga’s slide into criminality was both a personal failing and a bitter irony, given his work to support youth and discourage similar behaviour.
Judge Catherine Richards presided over the case and, addressing Tenga, acknowledged the sincerity of the remorse expressed in a letter submitted by the defendant. Nonetheless, she was unequivocal in her sentencing remarks. The judge stressed that anyone who decides to become involved in trafficking Class A drugs knows the severity of the consequences should they be caught. Ultimately, Tenga was handed a 28-month custodial sentence, receiving a reduction for his guilty plea. Under standard sentencing guidelines, he will serve approximately 40 per cent of his sentence behind bars before being considered for release on licence.
The case underscores the persistent challenges surrounding drug crime in the region and highlights once again how personal and economic upheaval can drive individuals towards choices at odds with their earlier values or public service. Local residents and those in the communities Tenga previously served are likely to view the case with sadness, reflecting on how someone who once worked to help others avoid crime ultimately fell victim to the pressures and temptations he sought to protect them from.
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the broader societal issues that can fuel criminality. Loss of employment, the isolation brought about by the pandemic, and the company one keeps are among the factors that can rapidly change the trajectory of a person’s life. While Tenga’s actions were undoubtedly his own, the circumstances leading up to his offending resonate with wider patterns observed throughout communities impacted by economic and social stress.
As for Tenga, the sentence means he will have time to consider his actions and, possibly, look towards eventual rehabilitation and reparation for the damage caused by his involvement in the drug trade. The hope remains that upon his release he might once again find a way to contribute positively to the community he let down.