News / National
Police condemn Apostolic sect violence
30 May 2014 at 20:18hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Republic Police say it will not tolerate lawlessness in the country from any quarter following the assault of police officers and journalists by members of a Budiriro apostolic sect.
Six members of the Budiriro 2-based Johane Masowe sect led by Madzibaba Ishmael who attacked police and civilians on Friday have been arrested.
ZRP chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba (pictured) strongly condemned the behaviour by the sect members, adding that police will quash lawlessness from any quarter.
Women's rights groups have also condemned churches that abuse women and children's rights saying this is a gross violation of human rights.
Musasa Project Executive Director Netty Musanhu said the situation just demonstrates that some churches are becoming lawless, highlighting that it could be worse in rural areas.
"We have said that churches have to be regulated and some have told us to keep quite but this just enhances our argument. We cannot have children in Budiriro not going to school and saying that is freedom of worship," said Musanhu.
Women Coalition of Zimbabwe chairperson Virgina Muwanigwa expressed outrage over girls being forced into early marriages at a place that should give them refuge.
"It's unfortunate when you have a church refusing children their right to attend school and violating their rights. This is an opportunity to have the situation addressed," Muwanigwa said.
The sect appears to be a closed community where rights of girls and women are wantonly violated.
It launched an operation where women who were not virgins at marriage are forced to find young virgins from their extended families to give to their spouses as compensation.
The sad story is that some women within the sect have been indoctrinated into accepting their abuse as normal.
Six members of the Budiriro 2-based Johane Masowe sect led by Madzibaba Ishmael who attacked police and civilians on Friday have been arrested.
ZRP chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba (pictured) strongly condemned the behaviour by the sect members, adding that police will quash lawlessness from any quarter.
Women's rights groups have also condemned churches that abuse women and children's rights saying this is a gross violation of human rights.
Musasa Project Executive Director Netty Musanhu said the situation just demonstrates that some churches are becoming lawless, highlighting that it could be worse in rural areas.
"We have said that churches have to be regulated and some have told us to keep quite but this just enhances our argument. We cannot have children in Budiriro not going to school and saying that is freedom of worship," said Musanhu.
Women Coalition of Zimbabwe chairperson Virgina Muwanigwa expressed outrage over girls being forced into early marriages at a place that should give them refuge.
"It's unfortunate when you have a church refusing children their right to attend school and violating their rights. This is an opportunity to have the situation addressed," Muwanigwa said.
The sect appears to be a closed community where rights of girls and women are wantonly violated.
It launched an operation where women who were not virgins at marriage are forced to find young virgins from their extended families to give to their spouses as compensation.
The sad story is that some women within the sect have been indoctrinated into accepting their abuse as normal.
Source - zbc
