Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Union Council of Churches (ZUCC) has condemned the actions of a local Prophet Simabyu Leeroy Shiri of Spring of Living Waters Ministry who went viral recently and appeared before Kwekwe Magistrate Mildred Matuvi for assaulting a congregant.
Speaking in an interview with this publication on Wednesday, the President of ZUCC, Evangelist Idirashe Dongo said the pastors body speaks highly against violence in church.
“As the Zimbabwe Union Council of Churches we are against what Prophet Shiri did it is wrong as there is no room for gender based violence (GBV) in the church. We have since approached him and told him to stand down to allow the finalization of his case in court. The church is a refuge for people and it should be used as such. We do not condone violence in the church,” she said
Evangelist Dongo said women need protection so as to not fall victims to gender abuse.
“We have realized that women are being abused in the churches and they need protection. There is lack of conscientization on GBV issues and as a council this case has opened our eyes to the need for thorough awareness raising about this issue. Women need to be safe in the church as the church should be providing a pillar of support rather than becoming the abuser,” she said.
She said that ZUCC is waiting for the courts to finalise the case so that it can also take appropriate action.
“As the church we can not pass judgement like the worldly courts as we believe everyone deserves a second chance. We await finalization of the case in court then we take the best action,” she said.
She however called on the community to forgive him and not resort to violence in solving the issue.
“We are appealing to the community to forgive hiom also. We are all sinners and forgiveness is key in maintaining peace,” she said.
Prophet Shit was remanded out of custody on US$50 bail when he recently appeared in court facing charges of assault. He is expected back in court on 1 March 2024.