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ZGC hunts Magaya, Vapostori for pulpit sex cases
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HARARE - The Zimbabwe Gender Commission will soon proceed with investigations on allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of women by Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader, Walter Magaya after all courts grant them permission to commence, with other indigenous apostolic churches not spared from the blitz, Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe (ZGC Chairperson) has announced this Friday.
This comes at a time when controversial cleric has lost a Supreme Court battle against the Zimbabwe Gender Commission in his bid to block the body from proceeding with inquiry into a plethora of gender-related exploitation and abuse allegations.
Responding to questions raised by journalists in Harare at the ZGC's 10th anniversary commemorations and organised media tour for newly acquired headquarters, Sangarwe said that their battle to bring gender justice on issues revolving around sexual exploitation and abuse either at the pulpit or adjacent to clergy with their congregants will be dealt with indiscriminately regardless of one's proximity to political elites or connections with justice delivery architecture.
"In the Commission's meeting number 38, which resolved to recommence investigations of sexual exploitation and abuse of women by Prophetic Healing and Deliverance leader, Walter Magaya, will begin soonest. All the courts of the land have given us greenlight and necessities to proceed with the investigations, and we assure you that gender justice will be genuinely served to those alleged victims," Sangarwe said.
"This applies to everyone including those clergymen from some apostolic churches where gender-based violence is reportedly rife. We are going to have the inquiry into Magaya's cases soon and he is not allergic to gender injustices scrutiny and as the alleged perpetrator of such the inquiry will proceed," Sangarwe said.
"As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we promise you that no-one and no place will be left in ensuring gender justice is served including indigenous apostolic churches where societal patriarchal structures have impacted on equality and equity," Sangarwe added.
Meanwhile, Sangarwe bemoaned some fragile and vague legal instruments which makes it impossible for the more punitive convictions.
"In terms of our gender or related laws, there is need to review or align them so that it sends a clear message against perpetrators," Sangarwe said.
"Our call to government is to expedite process towards enactment of a Gender Equality Bill and dedicate 10% of the national budget to gender programming," Sangarwe plead.
This comes at a time when controversial cleric has lost a Supreme Court battle against the Zimbabwe Gender Commission in his bid to block the body from proceeding with inquiry into a plethora of gender-related exploitation and abuse allegations.
Responding to questions raised by journalists in Harare at the ZGC's 10th anniversary commemorations and organised media tour for newly acquired headquarters, Sangarwe said that their battle to bring gender justice on issues revolving around sexual exploitation and abuse either at the pulpit or adjacent to clergy with their congregants will be dealt with indiscriminately regardless of one's proximity to political elites or connections with justice delivery architecture.
"In the Commission's meeting number 38, which resolved to recommence investigations of sexual exploitation and abuse of women by Prophetic Healing and Deliverance leader, Walter Magaya, will begin soonest. All the courts of the land have given us greenlight and necessities to proceed with the investigations, and we assure you that gender justice will be genuinely served to those alleged victims," Sangarwe said.
"This applies to everyone including those clergymen from some apostolic churches where gender-based violence is reportedly rife. We are going to have the inquiry into Magaya's cases soon and he is not allergic to gender injustices scrutiny and as the alleged perpetrator of such the inquiry will proceed," Sangarwe said.
"As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we promise you that no-one and no place will be left in ensuring gender justice is served including indigenous apostolic churches where societal patriarchal structures have impacted on equality and equity," Sangarwe added.
Meanwhile, Sangarwe bemoaned some fragile and vague legal instruments which makes it impossible for the more punitive convictions.
"In terms of our gender or related laws, there is need to review or align them so that it sends a clear message against perpetrators," Sangarwe said.
"Our call to government is to expedite process towards enactment of a Gender Equality Bill and dedicate 10% of the national budget to gender programming," Sangarwe plead.
Source - Byo24News
