Pulpit affair rocks church

Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A RUSAPE-BASED female pastor has been thrust into the spotlight after her husband accused a fellow congregant of having an affair with her and fathering one of their children, allegations that have plunged the couple’s marriage into turmoil and landed the matter before Chief Makoni’s community court.
The dispute emerged when Itai Kalimbwe (54) of Acacia Street, Rusape, sued Obey Gudza (34), alleging that he had an illicit relationship with Kalimbwe’s wife, Marvellous Tsindi (43), a fellow pastor at Faith to Victory Ministries.
Kalimbwe alleges that the affair resulted in the birth of a child who is now one-year-and-eight-months-old.
He is seeking compensation of US$10 000 and five beasts from Gudza.
Presenting his case before the court, a visibly emotional Kalimbwe said Gudza was more than just a neighbour.
“Gudza was my friend, neighbour and church-mate. We belonged to the same cell prayer group and our families frequently visited each other for prayers and social gatherings. Because I work as a builder, I spent long periods away from home.
“While I was away, I received information that my wife and Gudza were regularly being seen together. For nearly three years I tried to gather evidence, but I could not catch them. However, I began noticing suspicious behaviour between them. My wife became hostile towards me, and accused me of neglecting her. At one point she even referred to me as a vagrant,” he said.
Kalimbwe said his concerns deepened after his wife restricted access to her mobile phone by introducing a password.
He further claimed that one day he used a borrowed vehicle to discreetly monitor his wife’s movements.
“I drove to her workplace and saw Gudza arrive and pick her up. I followed them as they drove towards home. When they arrived, he dropped her off and hugged her before leaving. That heightened my suspicions,” he said.
Kalimbwe also highlighted several incidents surrounding the birth of the child that he found unusual.
He said Tsindi insisted that only Gudza should accompany her to hospital when she went into labour and later prevented him from naming the child.
“When she became pregnant, she insisted that Gudza be the one to drive her to hospital. After the baby was born, I was denied an opportunity to name the child. She later shaved the baby’s hair against my wishes.
“I specifically wanted the hair left intact because I wanted to observe certain features. Instead, she travelled to her parents’ home with the child and returned after the hair had been shaved,” he said.
Kalimbwe further claimed that members of Gudza’s family had openly suggested that the child belonged to Gudza.
“One day I was carrying the child at Evergreen Market when Gudza’s younger brother allegedly told people that the baby had been fathered by Obey. When he was cautioned about making such a serious allegation, he reportedly insisted that it was true. That left me deeply hurt,” he said.
The pastor said tensions in his marriage worsened as his wife allegedly denied him affection and became increasingly distant.
He also alleged that she possessed a secret cellphone and once told him that Gudza had replaced a damaged handset.
“The relationship deteriorated further. She kept denying me my conjugal rights and always had excuses. Later I discovered she had another cellphone. I also learnt that Gudza had allegedly damaged one of her phones and replaced it.
“The matter eventually became public when Gudza allegedly quarrelled with his own wife. During the altercation, his wife reportedly accused him of fathering my child. Neighbours witnessed the dispute and my 10-year-old son was also present,” said Kalimbwe.
He added that his son later discovered messages on Tsindi’s phone in which she allegedly asked Gudza to buy clothes for the child.
However, Gudza flatly denied all the allegations.
“I deny everything. These accusations are new to me. I am a mushikashika driver and I transport many people as part of my work. My wife does not even know about this case,” he told the court.
Chief Makoni did not make a ruling on the adultery allegations and instead ordered the parties to undergo scientific testing to establish the paternity of the child.
The matter was subsequently postponed pending the outcome of the DNA tests, which are expected to play a crucial role in determining the next course of action.