Destruction of pulpit divides CCAP church
A PASTOR is being accused of ordering the destruction of a pulpit, which was donated by a female congregant who is now based in the United Kingdom, in a move that has divided a church in Harare.
There are even claims the fallout between the two emanated from a love proposal that was turned down.
However, Church of Central
Africa Presbyterian (CCAP)
Glen Norah Assembly
Pastor Abusa Botomani, has denied making any love advances and says this was being spread by people who wanted to tarnish his image.
He is said to have ordered the destruction of the granite and glass pulpit which had been donated by Faith
Mwanga.
It was worth about US$900.
There were claims prophesies were also being faked about the pulpit as part of the move to have it removed from the church.
Pastor Abusa and Faith confirmed their differences.
“Yes, the pulpit issue is being talked about although I am not in a position to give an official comment,” said Pastor Abusa.
“Allegations that I once proposed to the person who donated it are malicious and being circulated by people against me.
“The matter is yet to be finalised.”
Faith, who is based in England, told H-Metro she was shocked to hear about the destruction of the pulpit.
“I sent money for the construction of that pulpit and I am shocked by its destruction,” said Faith.
“Pastor Abusa used to condemn the other pulpit that is why I decided to replace it with a better one.
“I am yet to know the motive behind its destruction.”
Sources told H-Metro that church members did not advise Pastor Abusa that Faith was the one who had donated the pulpit.
“The issue is that Pastor Abusa once proposed to Faith before she located to England and he was turned down. “After learning that she was the one behind the donation he started giving false prophecies about it.
“Hanzi ndirikuwona nyoka 6 dzichibuda pa pulpit.
“He avoided getting close to the pulpit while sharing his sermon until he ordered the destruction of the pulpit.”
A message from the Session Clerk Office, addressed to church shareholders, said the destruction was meant to pave way for renovations.
“This serves to put it on record that the church building is going through renovations — tiling, stage construction and pulpit installations. Unfortunately, a new pulpit was installed without following the agreed specifications.
“This was dismantled after consultations with the relevant stakeholders paving the way for installation of the correct design, with the agreed specifications. Anything you see on circulating on social media is not true.”
The pulpit was installed in December 2023.