Bulawayo Baptist Church youth leader in sexual abuse scandal

A YOUTH leader at the Baptist Church in Bulawayo is embroiled in a sex scandal in which he is alleged to have sodomised male orphans staying at the church.

The suspect (name supplied) is employed as a youth director, and he has since been relieved of his duties, and the church has instituted internal disciplinary actions against him.

Sources said the church leadership tried to conceal the matter by not reporting to the police for “fear of putting the name of the church into disrepute”.

“One of our youth directors is said to have sodomised several orphans who were under his care and he will soon appear before a disciplinary committee. What is shocking is that they have not reported the matter to the police,” said a source.

“The church is supposed to be a beacon of hope and spiritual guidance for the congregation, but such actions by an individual who took advantage of his position of power have tainted the image of the church.”

Sources said the scandal has been going on for a long time, with the suspect threatening the victims.

“The church leaders turned a blind eye to the abuse to protect their own reputation and that of the church. What we don’t understand is why this matter is being swept under the carpet yet it is a big issue,” said a congregant who declined to be named.

“This is just appalling and disgusting. We cannot have such people in our community roaming freely like this. How and why is this matter being downplayed like this? These children need serious counselling.”

A Chronicle news crew yesterday visited the church and the church’s senior pastor, Reverend Jeff Scorziell, could neither confirm nor deny the alleged scandal, saying investigations were underway.

“I can neither deny nor confirm anything, but we are investigating such a case. When something happens in your home, you do not go around broadcasting it as we take care of sinners, including those who are hurt by sinners,” he said.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, said no report had been made.