Greedy pastor bashes congregants for 'refusing' to pay tithes

MATABELELAND SOUTH - Salvation Army pastor Kudakwashe Chipendo left his church congregants questioning his authenticity as a cleric when he fumed and sacked them out of church during a service accusing them of not paying tithes in church.

The shocking incident, according to a local weekly occurred in Filabusi last Sunday during a church service which was presided over by Chipendo.

The incident which prompted the man of God to go berserk allegedly occurred during time for offerings.

According to impeccable sources, the pastor ordered congregants to leave the church after he discovered that the money vessels were empty.

Angered by the disobedience of his followers Chipendo allegedly went outside the church building and returned armed with a log which he used to beat congregants, prompting them to stampede in a bid to run for their lives.

One of the members of this church (name supplied) confirmed the incident but refuted claims that the clergy assaulted congregants.

"He only bemoaned the habit of not paying tithes by parishioners but did not beat anyone," the member who is one of the elders told a local weekly.

He said congregants did not pay tithes hence it was now difficult for the pastor to earn a living as he survived from people's offerings to the church.

Efforts to get a comment from Chipendo hit a blank as his mobile continuously went unreachable for the better part of the week.