Do men of the cloth need bodyguards?
There has been an increase of cases where bodyguards ‘protecting’ local men of the cloth have assaulted and harassed innocent people.
In fact, the situation appears as there is a competition of who has the most beefed up security among the men of the cloth.
Interestingly, most of the hired bouncers are well known night clubs security personnel and this boggles the mind.
This practice is a complete negation of Christianity principles.
Biblically, Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity once castigated one of his disciples over the use of a sword when he was to be apprehended.
Mathew 26:52-56 reads “And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
“Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
Cases of assaults that easily come to mind are one where a Marondera Council employee Walter Mafuta was in 2014 beaten up by Prophet Walter Magaya’s security details as he tried to reverse his car.
His crime was disturbing the prophet’s convoy.
The matter was reported under police CR13/3/14.
“Authorities from PHD Ministries are still to compensate or rather pay for my medication. The first time they came here to deal with the issue they wanted me to accept US$1000 of which I refused.
“I could not accept the offer for I do not know what the future holds for me. I suffered serious injuries that I suspect will haunt me the rest of my life.
“Currently my left eye is not seeing properly and I am still in crucial pain. I approached my employer to help me with my payback money so that I get some treatment and I do not know when I will get the money since it is a process,” said Mafuta then.
In Kwekwe during that fatal crusade where eleven people ended up losing their lives, the same convoy also assaulted a member of the Apostolic sect whose car had run out of fuel.
“I was parking my car at our shrine because it had run out of fuel. They assaulted me with logs and I reported the matter at Mbizo Police Station,” said a man who identified himself as Madzibaba Billiat.
The church blamed the Apostolic sect of blocking Magaya’s convoy.
There have been numerous cases of people who have been assaulted by church leaders’ bouncers.
Do men of God need bodyguards?
Pastor Arnold Huruva of Grace Ministries Church said it was insane for church leaders to hire bodyguards.
“Bodyguards are for politicians who create enemies every day. Jesus Christ did not have any bodyguards and bouncers. He knew that he was protected by the Holy Spirit and angels. He knew that God will protect him,” said the pastor.
However, some people felt that with the power they wield, church leaders should be always protected.
“As much as they are men of the cloth, I personally think that church leaders should have bodyguards. It’s a norm world over that prominent people even celebrities are guarded. Some people are fanatics and they do things that are unacceptable,” said Emelda Gunzva, a University student.