Pastor evicted over adultery

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
CONGREGANTS at the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) in Masvingo have successfully evicted a pastor from the church house over allegations of adultery involving a married woman.
Reverend Kefasi Madhumbu was evicted from the house on Monday after a meeting of the leadership and went to his rural home under Nerupiri area in Gutu.

The issue has been going on since May when the alleged adultery took place and has left Christians in the popular religious institution tongue-tied.

According to some congregants who spoke on condition they were not named, Madhumbu was allegedly caught having a good time with a married woman by church members.

“He was seen at his girlfriend’s house, Grace Mudzana of 1800 Nyadzonya Street, Mucheke, by members of the church who alerted his wife, Marian Madhumbu nee Muchengi, sometime in May.

“The wife went to the house and found her husband at the house but the alleged girlfriend ran away,” said a female congregant.
She said church members have been patient enough for their leadership to transfer or excommunicate him but they took long before deciding and congregants became restless until they took it upon themselves to deal with the issue.

“There have been a number of demonstrations in protest against Madhumbu’s continued stay at the church house yet his services were no longer needed.

“Last week on Thursday, congregants threatened to take the keys from him and were barred by a member of the church council.
“However, the pressure was mounting and on Saturday he left for Gutu, his home area.

“The moderator of the church Rev Rangarirai Rutoro had to intervene,” he said.
Another congregant said Madhumbu who had vowed to stay put until instructed to leave by the church leadership gave in to pressure after disgruntled congregants went to his house and demonstrated.

“At first Madhumbu was adamant that no one would remove him besides the church leadership. However, a series of demonstrations were organised and that saw him succumbing to pressure and left. The pressure was unbearable,” he said.

Repeated efforts to get a comment from the church moderator Rev Rutoro late yesterday proved fruitless as his phone was continuously engaged.

However, a senior member in the church confirmed that Madhumbu had since vacated the house but he left his property.
“Yes, there was a meeting between the church council on Saturday and synod comprising the moderator and other senior members.
“The meeting resolved that Madhumbu be forced to leave the church house until his case is finalised. He went back to his rural home with his family,” he said.

“He was seen at his girlfriend’s house, Grace Mudzana of 1800 Nyadzonya Street, Mucheke, by members of the church who alerted his wife, Marian Madhumbu nee Muchengi, sometime in May.”