News / Local
Makandiwa bouncers in tithes nasty fight
26 Apr 2017 at 04:19hrs | Views
An auditor with Emmanuel Makandiwa's United Family International Church (Ufic) was thoroughly assaulted by three church bouncers over missing tithes while other church members watched from a distance, a Harare magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa heard on Tuesday.
Munyaradzi Rukato (37), Farai Chuma (25) and Stewart Tangani (age not given) allegedly ganged up and assaulted Mlungisi Sibanda, accusing him of discouraging congregants from tithing for a project initiated by the church's security staff.
The trio denied the charge and accused Sibanda, who is also the church's security secretary, of being a violent person and an attention seeker.
The State alleges that the incident occurred during a Ufic gathering at the City Sports Centre on September 10 last year.
It is alleged Sibanda was chairing the meeting, as Rukato, who is chairperson of the security department, was away.
Sibanda allegedly told congregants that there was some money paid by the congregants, which had not been recorded and was missing.
It is State's case that Rukato later arrived and ordered Sibanda to step down, and the latter complied.
Rukato allegedly went on to insult Sibanda, saying he was not allowed to address the congregation.
The State alleges Sibanda then stood up arguing that he had the right to address the congregation as the church auditor.
As tempers flared, Chuma, Rukato and Tangani allegedly ganged up and assaulted Sibanda.
After the fracas, Rukato allegedly drove away, as Chuma, Tangani and another unidentified congregant continued assaulting Sibanda, while other church members watched from a distance.
The State alleges Sibanda eventually escaped and reported the matter to the police, leading to the accused's arrest.
The trial continues on May 9.
Munyaradzi Rukato (37), Farai Chuma (25) and Stewart Tangani (age not given) allegedly ganged up and assaulted Mlungisi Sibanda, accusing him of discouraging congregants from tithing for a project initiated by the church's security staff.
The trio denied the charge and accused Sibanda, who is also the church's security secretary, of being a violent person and an attention seeker.
The State alleges that the incident occurred during a Ufic gathering at the City Sports Centre on September 10 last year.
It is alleged Sibanda was chairing the meeting, as Rukato, who is chairperson of the security department, was away.
Sibanda allegedly told congregants that there was some money paid by the congregants, which had not been recorded and was missing.
It is State's case that Rukato later arrived and ordered Sibanda to step down, and the latter complied.
Rukato allegedly went on to insult Sibanda, saying he was not allowed to address the congregation.
The State alleges Sibanda then stood up arguing that he had the right to address the congregation as the church auditor.
As tempers flared, Chuma, Rukato and Tangani allegedly ganged up and assaulted Sibanda.
After the fracas, Rukato allegedly drove away, as Chuma, Tangani and another unidentified congregant continued assaulting Sibanda, while other church members watched from a distance.
The State alleges Sibanda eventually escaped and reported the matter to the police, leading to the accused's arrest.
The trial continues on May 9.
Source - NewsDay
