United Methodist Church pastor in sex scandal storm

A SENIOR United Methodist Church clergyman, Rev Daniel Mutidzawanda, is in the eye of a storm for allegedly bedding women from his Mutasa-Nyanga circuit.

The allegations have since drawn the attention of the church's top brass in Harare after some members of the church petitioned them over Rev Mutidzawanda's alleged sexual escapades.

Efforts to get a comment from the Zimbabwe Episcopal area bishop, Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, were fruitless since last Monday as his mobile phone was endlessly unavailable, while his secretary continuously said he was out of office.

UMC administrative assistant in the bishop's office, Rev Dr Zebediah Marevangepo, from last week Tuesday kept saying he was in a meeting and would return the call, but never did so. However, sources said he visited Old Mutare Mission last Friday as rumours of the alleged affair refused to die a natural death.

Repeated efforts since Monday to get a comment from Rev Marevangepo were fruitless as he was not picking up calls until the time of going to press.

When approached for comment last Wednesday, deputy administrative assistant to the bishop, Rev Alan Masimba Gurupira, could neither confirm nor deny the allegations being levelled against Rev Mutidzawanda.

"This is a Zimbabwe East Conference matter and I am responsible for issues in the Zimbabwe West Conference, so I cannot comment.

"The bishop is the only one who can comment on the matter and I will brief him this morning (last Wednesday) when I meet him and get back to you," said Rev Gurupira.

Further attempts to get comment from him this week were fruitless as his phone was not reachable.

It is alleged that Rev Mutidzawanda was recently caught pants down with a married woman at their Toronto love nest by the woman's husband, a well-respected member of the church (name withheld). After the incident, the woman allegedly attempted to commit suicide by taking an overdose of hypertension tablets. The woman's husband came to The Manica Post newsroom for an unsolicited interview, denying the allegations, saying it was the work of their enemies.

"It is all lies that Mai Chido was caught pants down with Rev Mutidzawanda at Sekuru Give's Toronto house. You should know that in every church there is politics, and this is part of it.

"I can confirm that my wife took an overdose of tablets, but it was following a misunderstanding between the two of us over a refrigerator and not the alleged affair.

"My wife was having too much pressure on her since her father and brother were not feeling well. All the allegations are utter rubbish and those spreading the rumours should bring the necessary evidence. I know it is the work of teachers at Hartzell Central Primary School, and I know the culprits," he said.

During the course of investigation of this alleged scandal by this paper, two teachers at Hartzell Primary School (names supplied) were summoned by a CID officer only identified as Sithole for questioning.

"In January I reported the issue to CID and two teachers from Hartzell Central Primary School were summoned and I know that it is a smear campaign by some individuals with sinister motives. My wife's hands are clean," he said.

When approached for comment last week, Rev Mutidzawanda went ballistic and promised to approach the Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs, Cde Chris Mushohwe, and the Manicaland Provincial Intelligence Officer's offices to "deal" with The Manica Post.

"Who brought that story to you?

"Is it the husband of the wife I am alleged to have bedded who brought that story? If he is not, then why should you listen to rumours? If the alleged aggrieved person did not bring the issue to you, what is the motive for you to pursue it? You should not believe everything that is said by people because you should be prepared to pay me for defamation of character.

"I am going to see Governor Mushohwe and PIO Mukorera over that issue. I think it is better for me to phone your boss Justin Mutasa because this is too much for me.

"Some people behind this rumour have since been summoned for questioning by CID.

"Who is the source of your story? I won't comment further if you fail to disclose your source," fumed Rev Mutidzawanda.

On allegations that the church made Rev Mutidzawanda to compensate the church member, he (Rev Mutidzawanda) said: "I am not in any way fund-raising the alleged compensation from my Mutasa-Nyanga circuit.

"It is traditional that churches contribute money every year to welcome their district superintendent.

"There is nothing unusual and it is a lie that I pegged US$500 for every church as what is being said.

"I was never ordered to compensate anyone."