Bulawayo resident Edlin Malunga, 35, who was allegedly assaulted by her pastor George Simango last September for failure to pay tithes, has reportedly lost her mind, Msasa Project regional manager Mrs Lindile Ndebele informed the public about this last Friday.

Mrs Lindile Ndebele, Msasa Project regional manager for Southern Region (in yellow) stresses a point to journalists (photo. M. Tshuma).

Pastor Simango of the Centre of Life Church in Richmond suburb was alleged to have not only assaulted Malunga but other church members as well, including a small boy. However, the man of God and some church members have since denied the allegations on the matter that is still before the court.

Speaking during a Media Institute of Southern Africa Advocacy Press Club on 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, Mrs Ndebele took a swipe at journalists. “You remember there was a woman who was beaten up by a pastor. She ended up being our client and yesterday I was saying where are the journalists now? The woman has lost her mind but no one is following that. She needs US$500 for a scan at Ingutsheni [Psychiatric] Hospital; she needs tablets for her mental health. She is now disillusioned, she can’t focus and we are saying where are you, the journalists? You covered her beating but now she is losing her mind and no one has cared, so you are saying we should be just beaten in church and leave it like that?” 

Zimbabwean media are known for their favor of sensationalism, and this situation is one more example of such irresponsible towards society approach.

Msasa Project is an organisation that fights for women’s rights.