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Gibson Mhaka .
THE case of a pastor with Bulawayo Adventist Church Brighton Ndebele who is accused of allegedly indecently assaulting a married congregant who is also a senior city lawyer has allegedly sucked in some senior pastors from the church in a sexual harassment cover-up storm.
This follows revelations that some senior pastors allegedly wanted to cover up the alleged sexual harassment leading the victim, who is also married to a prominent legal practitioner, to report the matter to the police.
According to court documents, the victim said the churcha��s failure to deal with the matter gave her an impression that it accepts as normal a�?predatory sexual proclivities from its pastorsa�?.
In her letter of complaint against Pastor Ndebele which was addressed to South Zimbabwe Conference chairman Pastor Ngulube, Union president Pastor Choga, executive secretary Pastor Thabiso Sibanda, the victim accused the church of allegedly trying to sweep Pastor Ndebelea��s sexual mess under the carpet.
a�?Pastor (Ndebele) conducted himself criminally towards me by making inappropriate, unsolicited physical conduct that is best dealt with through criminal justice system. The pastora��s sexualised conduct and language caused me traumatic uneasiness and discomfort and in view of the manner in which you seem to be addressing the issue, I regret to say I may find myself unable to maintain a co-operative attitude in the direction of the churcha��s way of doing things.
a�?How are we expected to sweep this mess under the carpet so that we wallow in misery as he (Pastor Ndebele) smiles all the way to the pulpit and possibly into leading more women into adultery?
a�?I specifically requested you to limit the involvement of pastor and president J.B Sibanda in the resolution of this matter because at the time the pastor made sexual advances towards me, I admonished him and advised him that I will report him to the president and he told me that the president is his friend and confidante and he would never believe me. a�?It also gives me an impression that the church accepts as normal predatory sexual proclivities from its pastors,a�? reads the complaint in part.
In his defence outline Pastor Ndebele ,who is facing indecent assault charges, said although he confirmed that on 20 April he visited the complainanta��s work place and discussed church related matters and they had lunch together he denied that he asked for a hug from the complainant.
He said the hug came naturally and consensually as would happen to anyone who know each other and are also friends.
Pastor Ndebele further stated that he never forced himself on the complainant or fondled her buttocks.
The matter which is before Bulawayo magistrate Charity Maphosa was postponed to 2 August for continuation of trial.
Online Reporter