Bishop, 2 pastors nabbed for K30, 000 theft
THREE pastors all from Miracle Impact Ministries International Church in Lusaka Matero Township have been arrested for allegedly stealing K30, 000 from a member of the congregation, police deputy spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has said. Mr Hamoonga identified the suspects as Bishop John Nundwe commonly known as John General, 46, of plot number 178 Chishimba Road off Commonwealth Road in Matero, his wife , Pastor Maureen Kakwende, 35, also an accountant of the same church and Paul Kambazo commonly known as Pastor Paul Fire, 56. Mr Hamoonga said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that in March 2016, Matildah Mwanza, 43, of Foxdale met Pastor Fire in Mtendere compound while she had a toothache. Pastor Fire assured her that Bishop General would be able to cure her of the toothache. He said upon meeting the bishop, Pastor Paul Fire intimated to Bishop John that Ms Mwanza had a cheque worth K70, 000. Ms Mwanza was later told to spend a night at the church and was advised to open a bank account the following day by Pastor Kakwenda. After opening the account, Ms Mwanza withdrew K40, 000 through automated teller machines (ATM) and was later told to pay K21, 000 tithe in advance for four months to the church. After withdrawing the K21, 000 for the tithe, the ATM card remained in the custody of pastor Kakwende “It was at this point that Pastor Kakwende left for Kaputa for a month and when she came back she handed over the ATM card to Ms Mwanza who went to withdrew some money but found there was no money in the account,” Mr Hamoonga said. He said the trio was picked up on Thursday around 16:00 hours and had since been released on police bond and would appear in court soon.