Government is going to act on pastors,church leaders and members of the church that abuse women in the name of God, Minister of Education, Sports, Art and Culture Andrew Langa has warned.

In the past two years, cases of prophets raping women during prayer and cleansing ceremonies have continued to soar amid calls that most Pastors who do such should be barred from preaching.

Speaking during the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) held at Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel on Sartuday last week, Langa spoke passionately about churches those abuse naïve women who join fellowships in genuine search for help.

He said Pastors and Prophets were using their spiritual influence the wrong way, swaying women from following God.

In a speech directly lambasting defrocked clergy, Robert Martin Gumbura who was convicted for 40 years for rape and possessing pornographic material, Langa said government was not taking chances in apprehending such ‘men of God’.

“We have lost our integrity,” Langa said.

“We will descend heavily on churches that are abusing our women,” he added.

He said churches should be safety zones for abused women, but Pastors were now preying on the vulnerable.

Turning to gospel artistes, Langa said musicians should carry a message of hope to the nation, whilst attacking circular artistes for singing meaningless songs.

“You have a great message for Zimbabwe and should always be driven by professionalism,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gospel diva Olivia Charamba won the Oustanding Female Musician of the year beating Edith Katiji popularly known as Edith WeUtonga and Selmor Mtukudzi, despite last producing an album in 2009.

In her speech, Mai Charamba as she is affectionately known by her legion of fans, implored government to address the issue of piracy which she says reduces artistes to paupers.

She was accompanied by her husband Pastor Charles Charamba at the glamorous event which attracted artistes from all corners of the country.