Jailbird prophet steals cash he was given to bless

FOUR YEARS AGO....

A Chitungwiza pastor, Royce Archibald Kasumba, who swindled the parents of the missing child, Given Flint Matapure, of $2 000 has been jailed four years.

Kasumba (30) told Harare provincial magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini that he was driven into going against the scriptures because the $100 stipend which his Holy Salvation Church was paying him was too little for his needs.

“Your behaviour is contrary to people of your status and you took advantage of the situation that the parents could do anything to have their child back.

The nation at large is praying for the safe return of the child while you are busy taking advantage of the situation,” Jarabini said before sending Kasumba to jail.

Kasumba will serve an effective three-year jail term after six-months were 
suspended on condition he paid back $1 400 and the remaining six months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.Kasumba admitted he used the money to buy a laptop, a television set, a DVD player and a two-plate electric stove.

According to the facts presented in court, Kasumba got the parents’ mobile numbers and sent them a message inviting them for a prayer for the return of the child.

The parents responded and drove to Makoni Shopping Centre where they met Kasumba and held an all-night prayer.

He then lied that he knew where the missing boy was and took the couple to a traditional healer on the border with Mozambique.

He again lied that he had met a certain girl in Avondale who asked for $2 000 to release information on the whereabouts of their son.

The pastor told the parents the girl knew the people who were guarding the boy in Norton.

As soon as the couple paid the $2 000, the pastor became evasive. Three-year-old Given went missing during this year’s Harare Agricultural Show on August 22.

....THIS WEEK

PROPHET IN COURT FOR STEALING CASH HE WAS GIVEN TO BLESS

A self-styled prophet from Gweru recently appeared in court after he allegedly deceived a man that he would pray for his money to multiply and enable the complainant could buy a car.

Royce Archibald, 34, of Daylesford suburb and leader of Christ Evangelism International Ministries, allegedly prophesised that Tinashe Chakota of Mkoba 5 suburb would buy a car.

Archibald allegedly then received $600 from Chakota on the pretext that he would pray for and bless the cash before returning it after three days.

In another incident, Archibald allegedly tricked Angela Kuweyu that he was able to supply her with a dryer and detergents and was given $2,400 but failed to deliver the goods.

Archibald appeared before magistrate, Judith Taruvinga facing two charges of fraud and one of supplying false information to a public official. Bernard Nyoni prosecuted.

Allegations are that sometime in April this year, Archibald received $600 from Chakota after he prophesised the latter wanted to buy a car and that he wanted to pray for the money for three days. Archibald however never returned the money.

On another date during the same month, Archibald approached Kuweyu at Shamah Dry Cleaners where he received $2,400 after promising to supply her with a dryer and detergents. He however, never delivered the goods.

On June 2 2015 Archibald phoned ZRP provincial victim friendly unit and talked to Constable Mashindi to to the effect that a pastor with Apostolic Faith Mission, Athlone branch, Pastor Zimunya had raped two of his congregants knowing the information was false.

Investigations however, revealed that the alleged victims were never raped or engaged in any sexual activities with the alleged pastor. Archibald, who was remanded in custody, will be back in court on 3 July.