Moffat Mungazi
Rodgers Irimayi
Cultural Perspectives
THIS week, I intend to unravel the feathers of individuals masquerading as church leaders, but commit crimes of deception, extortion, and exploiting their innocent followers.
In fact, the Zimbabwe Constitution, and other laws and policies provide for religious freedom, but the level of criminal activity in the church has now become intolerable as many are abusing this freedom.
Some leaders have become wolves in sheep skins as they become entangled in cases of human rights exploitations.
The term ‘criminals in white garments’ can be interpreted as referring to people in positions of religious or moral authority who are engaged in unethical, corrupt or illegal behaviour, despite outward appearances of virtue or piety.
These individuals portray themselves as righteous or morally and spiritually upright.
Religious leaders as well as their institutions should be held accountable, and work to uphold justice, integrity and the common good.
While the white garment symbolises purity, innocence, or spiritual authority, it is wicked to let hypocrisy and deception take control of society, and destroy the image of the genuine Christian religion.
It becomes purely religious or spiritual manipulation for individuals to position themselves as spiritual authorities, just to exploit or abuse those who seek spiritual guidance.
It is improper to view church members as potential sources for making money and other benefits in kind.
There are corporate or financial crimes being committed by individuals who present themselves as respectable religious leaders while engaging in fraudulent activities.
Recently, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), arrested an Anglican bishop, Bishop Erik Ruwona, for pocketing US$700 000 loan he and his accomplices had taken out to construct a school.
The same bishop had been previously arrested for forcing learners who sought places at Anglican schools to purchase bibles for as much as $800 apiece.
Bishop Ruwona was later acquitted of these charges.
There are numerous such criminal cases being brought before the courts as religious leaders fall in sin by preying on their unsuspecting followers.
Some religious leaders are known to exploit their followers emotionally or sexually while maintaining a facade of moral authority.
A self-proclaimed apostolic church leader, Ishmael Chokurongerwa, who kept 251 children on his property, was arrested, and charged with exploiting minors who were not attending any school for their education.
The police noted that the minor children were being abused, doing manual work “for the benefit of the sect’s leadership” and “being taught life skills”.
For parents to allow that behaviour by their church leaders, is an indication of high levels of indoctrination that negatively impact on the future of blameless children.
Fingers have been pointed at the polygamous Johane Marange Apostolic Church, a conservative religious sect, for marrying under-age girls to older men.
In recent years, a 15-year-old girl died while giving birth at the church’s shrine, and this drew an outcry across the country.
The girl was carrying the baby of her 26-year-old husband.
The marriage had the consent of the girl’s parents.
There is the case of the late Robert Martin Gumbura, a religious leader who was the pastor of the Independent End Time Message Church who was sentenced to 40 years in jail for the rape of four women in his congregation and possession of pornographic material.
Despite the fact that he had more than 10 wives, he went further to sexually molest more innocent women from his congregation.
Such behaviour portrays the churches as no longer safe havens for the weak and defenseless young girls and women.
Most such leaders are charismatic individuals who use their charm and influence to manipulate others for personal gain or to further their own agendas.
People have fallen prey to some unscrupulous church leaders who brainwash their congregants and threaten to curse them with prayers if they resist their nefarious demands.
To achieve their faith-based scams, some individuals or groups use religious or spiritual language to deceive people into giving them money or support.
Congregants are coerced into buying funny things such as anointed oil, anointed bracelets, anointed bricks and so many other things to receive blessings and riches from heaven.
In the hope of getting miracle money and other promised things they quench for in life, people part with their hard-earned money and belongings.
Some immoral people establish unholy organisations that engage in social or moral hypocrisy where they claim to uphold high moral standards while behaving in ways that contradict those values.
There are several individuals who have formed religious cults which promote unbecoming behaviour by smoking dagga/mbanje/marijuana in the name of Rastafarianism.
Other groups as the gays and lesbians portray themselves as a unique breed that seeks approval to be accommodated into the mainstream society.
While some Western countries accept homosexual church leaders, Zimbabwe has condemned their anti-social behaviour despite them highlighting and presenting themselves in a way that suggests purity, innocence, or righteousness, while engaging in unacceptable and abhorrent sexual behaviour.
These consequences of shenanigans by deceitful religious leaders lead to loss of trust.
When individuals or groups are exposed for their devious actions, it can erode trust in institutions, leaders, or even the concept of spirituality itself.
Victims of exploitation or abuse may experience emotional trauma, feelings of betrayal, and loss of faith in themselves or others. Social consequences of these “criminals in white garments” can also have wider social repercussions, such as propagating unfairness, injustice, or social disorder.
There is need for citizens to be conscious, and be able to compare guise versus reality, and to be able to distinguish between genuine and false representations of purity or righteousness.
Before committing and trusting church leaders, ensure that individuals and organisations are accountable for their actions, regardless of their appearance or claims.
It is proper to critically evaluate characteristics of religious front-runners as discernment is important to avoid being misled by unauthentic leaders.
By being aware of potential deception by leaders, people can better protect themselves and others from dangerous religious leaders and even politicians or public figures that end up getting involved in scandals.
Readers’ Feedback:
I read your article about churches in Zimbabwe. I am studying heritage studies with Zimbabwe Open University, but based in Mauritius. I hope to meet you when I will be in Zimbabwe in November so that we can discuss further. The article was very educative. — +263777251201
My thinking is that all Christian denominations should be affiliated to a Council of Christian Denominations, and be accountable to it, not to Government. More churches are good, but they should be part of registered denominations which provide oversight on their teachings and activities. While denominations differ in terms of doctrine, their differences should be within limits that are defined and agreed by the Council of Denominations. Oversight given by the Council of Denominations will ensure that only bona-fide denominations which teach the gospel of Jesus Christ will be registered. Only churches that are part of registered denominations should be allowed to operate. Registration and oversight should be done within the body of Christ, not by Government, otherwise through things like corruption we are likely to be in a worse of scenario than what we intended to solve. — 263772516668
Rodgers Irimayi is the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Masvingo Provincial Information Officer. He writes in his personal capacity and can be contacted on +263778246098 or [email protected].
Online Reporter