A pastor from Kariba, Zimbabwe, was fined $20,000 for assaulting one of his congregants for failing to clean the church’s toilet.
Tonderai Muridzi, a 32-year-old preacher, was hauled before Kariba magistrate Tendai Banda court on Tuesday, facing assault charges.
Ngonidzashe Makovere, a Form 5 student and church member, was beaten up by the clergyman of the Heartfelt International Ministries in the resort town.
The state lawsuit which was brought by Karen Musiiwa happened on September 7, 2021, when a passer-by requested permission to use the restroom, which the complainant granted.
The passerby is said to have spilled some water on the toilet floor and then went away without mopping it up.
Pastor Muridzi saw the mess and told the boy to clean it up because he was the one who had let the guest use the restroom.
Makovere agreed, but as he was cleaning the floor, the unsatisfied Muridzi accosted him, accusing him of not being diligent in the task.
The clergyman began yelling at the boy and striking him with his open hands and fists.
As a result of the incident, the complainant was injured.
Muridzi was arrested after the incident was reported to the Kariba police station.
