Uukwambi leaders demolish ‘divisive’ Pentecostal church
Residents of Oshuudhi-B village, under the leadership of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday afternoon as they witnessed the demolition of what they described as a 'notorious' Pentecostal church.
The church, Omwene Tumange Ministry, has been accused of turning into a money-making scheme rather than preaching the gospel for free.
Some residents of the village have allegedly been accused of being witches by the church owners, which has put the residents' lives at risk.
The police in the Omusati Region assisted traditional leaders in demolishing the church.
Great concerns
Kalimba Othitukuti, spokesperson for the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, stated that, in addition to the alleged harmful practices of the church in question, it was operating unlawfully without permission from the traditional authority.
Othitukuti said a significant concern was that the church had spread hatred and caused divisions within families with its accusations of witchcraft.
“We summoned the leader of the church to the traditional authority and gave them a deadline to evacuate. They ignored the directives. Hence, we have made a decision to come and close the church ourselves,” he said.
Othitukuti urged villagers to apologise to each other and to live in peace and harmony. He advised residents to approach the traditional authority for assistance in the event of disputes.
Just working for the Lord
Church apostle Johannes Ndeshipanda (22) denied the allegations that his church was creating divisions in the village, saying they were merely preaching the gospel and “serving the Lord.”
Ndeshipanda also denied that the church had not complied with instructions from the traditional authority. He expressed disappointment with the demolition of the church.
He said the Omwene Tumange Ministry was established in 2023.
“We also do not divide families because that is not what religion is about. We serve the Lord and make sure we preach forgiveness. We bring people together. We do not divide,’ Ndeshipanda said.
Commendable work
Okalongo constituency councillor Laurentius Iipinge said the traditional authority acted swiftly before any further damage was done in the village.
Iipinge said other traditional authorities should emulate the work of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority in making sure they maintain peace and stability in their jurisdiction and protect their subjects from any danger.
The police also warned worshippers, who attend these churches in search of riches, to steer clear of strange ‘cleansing’ rituals. The Omwene Tumange Ministry is closed until further notice, by order of the Namibian Police.
The church, Omwene Tumange Ministry, has been accused of turning into a money-making scheme rather than preaching the gospel for free.
Some residents of the village have allegedly been accused of being witches by the church owners, which has put the residents' lives at risk.
The police in the Omusati Region assisted traditional leaders in demolishing the church.
Great concerns
Kalimba Othitukuti, spokesperson for the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, stated that, in addition to the alleged harmful practices of the church in question, it was operating unlawfully without permission from the traditional authority.
Othitukuti said a significant concern was that the church had spread hatred and caused divisions within families with its accusations of witchcraft.
“We summoned the leader of the church to the traditional authority and gave them a deadline to evacuate. They ignored the directives. Hence, we have made a decision to come and close the church ourselves,” he said.
Othitukuti urged villagers to apologise to each other and to live in peace and harmony. He advised residents to approach the traditional authority for assistance in the event of disputes.
Just working for the Lord
Church apostle Johannes Ndeshipanda (22) denied the allegations that his church was creating divisions in the village, saying they were merely preaching the gospel and “serving the Lord.”
Ndeshipanda also denied that the church had not complied with instructions from the traditional authority. He expressed disappointment with the demolition of the church.
He said the Omwene Tumange Ministry was established in 2023.
“We also do not divide families because that is not what religion is about. We serve the Lord and make sure we preach forgiveness. We bring people together. We do not divide,’ Ndeshipanda said.
Commendable work
Okalongo constituency councillor Laurentius Iipinge said the traditional authority acted swiftly before any further damage was done in the village.
Iipinge said other traditional authorities should emulate the work of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority in making sure they maintain peace and stability in their jurisdiction and protect their subjects from any danger.
The police also warned worshippers, who attend these churches in search of riches, to steer clear of strange ‘cleansing’ rituals. The Omwene Tumange Ministry is closed until further notice, by order of the Namibian Police.
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