Group Village Headman Nthukuso Orders Closure of Church Over Alleged Adultery in Nsanje

NSANJE, Malawi - The International Missionary Society Seventh Day Reformed Movement has been ordered to close immediately by Group Village Headman Nthukuso in the area of Senior Chief Malemia in Nsanje, writes Cornelius Lupenga.

The closure comes after allegations surfaced that the church leaders were committing adultery with young boys from the church and encouraging them to stop attending school.

The decision was made during an interface meeting involving stakeholders and traditional leaders on Saturday in the district.

Area Development Committee (ADC) Chair for Traditional Authority Malemia, Mathews Chilumba, revealed that a Mr Kingsman from the area had reported to the Nsanje District Social Welfare Office that his 15-year-old son, who was doing well in school, was refusing to go to school for unknown reasons.

"The church does not allow its children to go to school, which is infringing on their human right to education," said Chilumba.

The concerned mother of the boy, Zofuna Gama, expressed worry over the church leadership's encouragement of children not attending school, stating that it could result in more school dropouts in the area.

"There will be more school dropouts in the district because of the encouragement of the church," Gama said.

When contacted, Pastor Charles Brighton, the director of the church, dismissed the allegations, stating that the matter had already been brought before the police in the district and that they had been summoned for questioning.

"We were at Nsanje Police Station for questioning on Monday, April 10th, 2023," said Pastor Brighton, who hails from the area of Osiyana in the area of Senior Chief Mlolo in Nsanje.

Nsanje Police have yet to comment on the development.

Further investigations into the allegations against the church and its leaders are ongoing.