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Danisa Masuku
Sihle Moyo (32) was raped by her stepfather when she was 16 years old and the mental picture of the ordeal still haunts her.
What pains her most is that the matter was not reported to the police. Her mother chose to sweep the matter under the carpet.
Her mother called her to her mud bedroom hut and told her never to share the heart-rending incident with anyone.
She warned that reporting the matter to the police would plunge them into hardships.
She would be chucked out of school and the family would suffer as the bread winner would be thrown into jail. Her mother who is solely dependent on her stepfather feared that her marriage would collapse as the rapist would be sent to languish in jail.
As such the stepfather is scot-free while Sihle has a wound that traces back 16 years.
Given that the matter was not discussed and not reported to the police Sihle says she is holding a grudge against her parents.
a�?When I think about the matter I feel hurt because my mother failed to fight for me when I reported to her that my stepdad was fond of raping me while she was away. She even told me not to share the information with anyone as that would tarnish the image of the family.
a�?What deepened my hurt is that when I reported the matter to my mother she promised that she would talk to him but she never did. As a result of that ill-treatment I had to desert home after completing my O-levels and never returned because I feel disheartened and unloved,a�? she said while shedding tears.
Sihle has joined Ambassadors of Christ International Church. Although she has not forgiven her parents she is undergoing counselling sessions at the church. The question is how different religions handle the sensitive issue of forgiveness. In separate interviews men of the cloth from different religions shared how they handle the issue of forgiveness.
Bishop Zwelithini Moyo of Destiny Global Ministries Church explained how they handle the delicate issue of forgiveness.
a�?God will not forgive our sins if we do not forgive those who sin against us. (Mathew 6:14-15, Mathew 11:25)
a�?Being unforgiving will stop our prayers from being answered. If we do not forgive others, unforgiveness in our spirit grows into resentment, bitterness eventually that leads to hatred which consumes us,a�? he said.
Brethren In Christ Church (BICC)a��s Reverend Ayibongwe Hlongwane who heads Nguboyenja branch said: a�?When it comes to forgiveness our teachings are based on Mathew 18.a�?
He said they had learnt that one has to forgive another regardless of how many times that person wrongs them.
He said God forgives us our sins each and every day so we have to try to copy Him and forgive those who sin against us countless times. He said failure to do so would block Goda��s presence in our lives.
a�?We have committed many offences against God but He forgives us and forgets our sins. So as true Christians we have to abide by Goda��s principles,a�? he said.
He said Mathew Chapter 18 teaches believers to be like a child. He said Christianity calls one to be like a child and forgive countless times.
The spokesperson of Bulawayo Muslim Association said their belief was that Allah was forgiving and merciful.
a�?Mohamed in his teachings states that one who does not forgive will not be forgiven by Allah regardless of how big the sin was,a�? he said.
Yasini said when the matter has been reported to the police and the State deals with it, the victim still has to forgive.
*Sihle not her real name
Online Reporter