Chronicle EditorPeter Matika, [email protected]
PASTOR Bothwell Phiri (57), the founder of River of Life International Church, is set to appear in court today on charges of attempted murder, after mistakenly shooting his son in a tragic case of mistaken identity.
The incident occurred last Monday at Phiri’s residence in the Kumalo suburb of Bulawayo. Bulawayo provincial acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident, which happened when Jordan Phiri (29) returned home late from the family’s plot in Esigodini.
Finding the house locked, he attempted to enter through a window, prompting his father to mistake him for an intruder. Armed with his legally registered firearm, Pastor Phiri shot his son in the groin. Upon realising his error, he rushed his son to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for treatment.
Asst Insp Msebele said Jordan is in stable condition with investigations ongoing.
“This was an unfortunate incident. The accused person told police he mistakenly shot his son as he thought he was an intruder,” she said. The firearm was verified as legally registered,” she said.
While Pastor Phiri maintains that the shooting was accidental, some family members have cast doubt on his account.
They allege that Phiri has a history of a short temper and has previously threatened family members with his firearm. One family member claimed that Phiri’s public persona as a calm and collected pastor does not align with his private behaviour.
“The pastor is not a calm and collected individual as he portrays himself. He has a lot of skeletons in his closet and they are soon creeping out,” claimed a family member.
The family also alleged strained relationships between Phiri and his children. They noted that his eldest son resides in the United Kingdom and has limited contact with him, while his daughter was reportedly expelled from the family home over a personal dispute. Similar tensions were said to exist with Jordan.
The incident has sparked public debate about whether clergy should possess firearms, given their spiritual roles. Some have likened the case to the tragic shooting of American singer Marvin Gaye by his father, who was also a minister.
Online Reporter