adminLuthando Mapepa
FINDING his teenage lover in the loving arms of a rival suitor saw a United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe pastor descending on her like a sledge hammer recently.
Joshua Mapaure, a mid-career pastor in the conservative UCCZ Church allegedly travelled more than 200km from Mutare to spend quality time with his lover, Bongani Dzitiro, an Upper Six student at Rimbi High School, only to get more than what he had bargained for as the lady was allegedly hosting another boyfriend.
It is alleged that after the shock discovery, Mapaure could not control his temper and heavily assaulted her. This was despite her plea for forgiveness from the man of cloth.
Although Mapaure refused to comment on the matter when approached for a comment, he was quoted in our sister publication, H-Metro saying: “Bongani is my girlfriend. Yes, I visited her on Thursday and I caught her in bed with another man. I did not beat her. All I did was walk away.”
Bongani was also quoted denying being given a thorough hiding by Mapaure.
“Who told you that I was beaten by Joshua? That person lied to you. He is not my lover, but my cousin and you are not the first one to ask me about that rumour circulating in this community that I was beaten by Joshua.
“On that particular night that people are saying I was bashed, Joshua visited me, but is was just for a short time,” said Bongani.
However, witnesses confirmed that Bongani was bashed by Mapaure.
Community members who spoke to this reporter said the shocked pastor whose visit was unannounced assaulted his girlfriend with fists, in the process plucking her hair leaving her injured.
“We are ashamed of such an act by a pastor. If he had issues with his discovery, he could have used other means rather than resorting to violence. His actions brought the name of the church into disrepute,” said a witness who requested anonymity.
Mr Daniel Mtisi, a UCCZ church member blamed the church leadership for failing to reign in some of their wayward pastors.
“Zvinodhanisa yaamo zvaitwa ndimufundisi Mapaure. (Mapaure’s conduct is a shame to the church). The church leadership should take immediate action to deal with elements like Mapaure. Some of the church leadership are to blame because they have been overprotective of scandals happening in the church. Instead of suspending those with dirty hands, some high ranking officials temporarily transferred Mapaure to Fern Valley pending deployment to Mt Selinda Church.
“His sexual shenanigans are well documented and no longer a secret in the church, but he is allegedly being protected by some church leaders,” he said.
Repeated efforts to get a comment from Mapaure hit a snag as he continued cutting his phone each time this reporter identified himself.
He did not respond to texts message sent to his mobile number on the matter.
UCCZ Church Eastern Region conference superintendent, Rev Tenson Mucheri could neither confirm nor deny the allegations, saying he had no authority to comment on church issues with the Press.
He referred this reporter to UCCZ Church president, Reverend Ngadziore whose mobile number was not reachable at the time of going to Press.
Online Reporter