In a shocking turn of events, Timothy Michael, a well-known prophet from Chegutu, was arrested during a church service on Saturday, leaving his congregation in disbelief.
What many initially thought might be a dramatic display of faith turned out to be a serious criminal matter, as the prophet faced allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a female congregant.
Timothy Michael, the leader of the New Generation Church, had garnered a significant following over the years, celebrated for his charismatic sermons and the promise of divine intervention.
However, his reputation took a severe hit when reports emerged that he had kissed a female member of his congregation without her consent.
Eyewitnesses described the moment of the arrest as surreal.
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Congregants attending the service witnessed police officers entering the church while Michael was in the midst of delivering his sermon. Initially, some congregants thought it was part of a performance, as modern-day prophets often incorporate dramatic elements into their teachings.
However, the gravity of the situation quickly became apparent as officers approached the pulpit to escort the prophet away.
When contacted by H-Metro for confirmation of the arr3st, Inspector Ian Kohwera, the Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson, stated that he had not yet received details regarding the incident.
This lack of information only fueled speculation within the congregation and the community. Many were left wondering how a respected leader could find himself in such a predicament.
Venjai Jowo, a senior member of the church, did confirm the arre3t, stating, “Yes, he has been arrested.” When pressed for further details, Jowo declined to comment, leaving many unanswered questions. The church community was left reeling, grappling with the implications of the prophet’s actions and the potential fallout for their congregation.
As news of the arrest spread, discussions among congregants turned to the courageous actions of the victim.
Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the female congregant had allegedly been coerced into kissing the prophet during the service.
These sources praised her for speaking out and reporting the incident to the authorities, emphasizing the importance of standing up against abuse, particularly within the context of religious leadership.
“She showed remarkable bravery,” one source noted. “It’s not easy to come forward, especially when you’re dealing with someone in a position of power.” The sentiment among many in the community echoed this sentiment, with growing support for the victim as they recognized the challenges faced by individuals in similar situations.
Moreover, some sources hinted at a troubling pattern of behavior from Michael, suggesting that this was not an isolated incident. Rumors circulated that the prophet had a history of inappropriate interactions with female congregants, raising serious concerns about the culture within the church.
Many in the congregation began to question the ethics of a leader who had been granted significant influence over their lives.