Connect with us

Local News

Methodist Church’s Reverend Attacked In Church Over Witchcraft

Published

on

Angr youths file picture

THERE was pandemonium at United Methodist Church’s Stream View Circuit in Chikanga, Mutare, last Sunday when relatives of the reverend in charge stormed the church and sought to manhandle him over a family dispute.

Witnesses allege that a group of Reverend Blessing Saunyama’s relatives arrived at the church around midday when the man of cloth was conducting a church service and demanded to be given a chance to air their grievances against the reverend whom they alleged was causing mayhem in the family through ungodly acts, bordering on wizardry.

It is alleged that when the responsible authorities denied the relatives access to the pulpit, commotion erupted with the men shouting obscenities and threatening to assault the reverend.

They accused the clergyman of causing the death of several family members.

Advertisement

Devout church members would not have it as they retaliated and a fight erupted during the church service.

“The reverend was whisked out of the church by congregants as the marauding group was baying for his blood. Some are alleging that he received a few blows from the angry men, but I did not see it. What I know is that church elders are the ones who ended up receiving beatings from the relatives who were angry that they (elders) had helped Rev Saunyama escape.

“Something serious would have happened if the group had managed to corner Rev Saunyama as they were seething with anger,” said a church member who requested anonymity.

You May Like: Gokwe Cops On Manhunt For Jesus’ Killers

Advertisement

Another church member said the family members claimed to have travelled from their rural home to confront the reverend over countless deaths being recorded in their family.

“They said something about having come from Mutasa or Nyanga, I do not remember very well. They shouted obscenities and accused the reverend of causing deaths within their family. They were just livid. Police had to be called in to quell the disturbances,” said the woman.

Methodist Church’s Reverend Attacked In Church Over Witchcraft

Rev Saunyama denied the allegations that he was assaulted by his relatives.

“I was never beaten up. Nobody touched me during the disturbances. I am okay emotionally and physically,” he said before referring the reporter to speak to one of the church’s lay leaders, Mr Tinashe Madziwa.

Advertisement

“Lay leaders are the ones who can give you an official, factual and detailed report of the incident,” he said.

However, Mr Madziwa’s phone was unreachable.

United Methodist Church spokesperson, Reverend Alan Gurupira referred the reporter to Mutare District Superintendent, Reverend Tendai Makono, who said the church is still conducting investigations into the matter.

“I have no finer details on the matter at the moment, but I am currently in the process of finding out what really happened. I will get back to you after getting hold of Reverend Gurupira,” he said.

Advertisement

Approached for comment, Mai Mawoyo who stays at the church, said she was not at liberty to share any information pertaining to the incident with the Press.

“We do not know anything. Whatever you have heard, we will neither confirm nor deny because we are not part of it. It would be best for you to call the Reverend; he will tell you whether it happened or not. We do not know anything,” she said.

Asked whether accusations that the reverend keeps clay pots with flowers inside the church were true, the woman invited the reporters to check for themselves inside the church.

Inside the church building, which is still under construction, were benches and a pulpit.

Advertisement

Read Also: Archbishop Duncan Williams Reveals When He Will Die

No clay pots were in sight.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo could neither confirm nor deny the mayhem at the church.

He said the report had not yet reached his office and promised to look into it.

Advertisement

Videos of the incident have since gone viral on social media.

Vendors who sell their wares near the church said they saw people storming out of the church exchanging blows.

A vendor, Mr Cephas Dhliwayo said he was alerted that there was a fight at the church by two men who came out dragging one man and assaulting him.

“It was chaos outside the church. Church members were exchanging blows with Rev Saunyama’s relatives. Police arrived and escorted the relatives to Chikanga Police Station. I am not sure what caused the fracas as I was not in the church.
“I only heard that the reverend was at the centre of the mayhem, with his relatives labelling him a wizard,” said Mr Dhliwayo.-Manica Post

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Check out Entertainment

Mai Denzel Demands Baba Denzel Pay Lobola Before They Reconcile Mai Denzel Demands Baba Denzel Pay Lobola Before They Reconcile
Entertainment6 hours ago

Mai Denzel Demands Baba Denzel Pay Lobola Before They Reconcile

Mai Denzel is the talk of the town after making an appearance on the highly popular Star FM talk show On...

Kelly Khumalo Shows Off Baby Bump Kelly Khumalo Shows Off Baby Bump
Celebrities1 day ago

Kelly Khumalo Shows Off Baby Bump

Kelly Khumalo‘s maternity fashion is a topic of discussion on social media. The singer trended when a tweep claimed world-renowned...

Uncle Waffles Joins Illuminati? Uncle Waffles Joins Illuminati?
Celebrities1 day ago

Uncle Waffles Joins Illuminati?

Uncle Waffles reacts to claims of joining the Illuminati after announcing her second project titled, Asylum. “1 year ago, I...

Umbayimbayi by Inkabi Zezwe dominates chats three days after release Umbayimbayi by Inkabi Zezwe dominates chats three days after release
Celebrities3 days ago

Umbayimbayi by Inkabi Zezwe dominates chats

Inkabi Zezwe released their much-anticipated single ‘Umbayimbayi’ on Friday 24 March and as expected, the track topped streaming charts including...

Police letting Down Families Of Murdered Celebrities Police letting Down Families Of Murdered Celebrities
Celebrities3 days ago

Another Breakthough In AKA Murder Suspects

Police in South Africa have made another major breakthrough in the case involving the murder of the county’s Hip hop...

SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean actor, Jerome Galiao, has been arrested for allegedly bashing his wife, Nerissa. SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean actor, Jerome Galiao, has been arrested for allegedly bashing his wife, Nerissa.
Celebrities3 days ago

Zimbabwean Scandal! Actor Arrested In SA For Bashing Wife

SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean actor, Jerome Galiao, has been arrested for allegedly bashing his wife, Nerissa. Jerome, 38, who is known...

Connie Ferguson and Rapulana Seiphemo Connie Ferguson and Rapulana Seiphemo
Celebrities3 days ago

Connie Ferguson and Rapulana Seiphemo return to “Generations”

Connie Ferguson and Rapulana Seiphemo return to Generations. Phil Mphela who is known to deliver updates about the entertainment industry...

Mudiwa apologizes to Pokello after claiming she is dating a Ben 10 Mudiwa apologizes to Pokello after claiming she is dating a Ben 10
Celebrities4 days ago

Mudiwa apologizes to Pokello after claiming she is dating a Ben 10

Blogger Rose Mudiwa has issued an apology to socialite and businesswoman Pokello Nare following a ‘malicious’ story she posted last...

Nadia Nakai Returns To Work After Weeks Mourning AKA Nadia Nakai Returns To Work After Weeks Mourning AKA
Celebrities6 days ago

Nadia Nakai Returns To Work After Weeks Mourning AKA

South African rapper Nadia Nakai is playing her first gig since the death of her boyfriend, rapper AKA, she revealed...

Zodwa Wabantu Goes Nαked In Viral Video Zodwa Wabantu Goes Nαked In Viral Video
Celebrities7 days ago

Zodwa Wabantu Goes Nαked In Viral Video

South African media personality, socialite, and dancer, Zodwa Wabantu reacts after being dragged for showing off her pαntless derriere in...

Advertisement

Trending