Three clergymen including controversial John Numbwe, popularly known as bishop John General of Miracle Impact Ministries International, have been arrested for allegedly stealing K70,000. The other apprehended suspects are 35-year-old Maureen Kakwende, wife of bishop Nundwe, 46, and Paul Kambazo, 56, an accountant, commonly known as Pastor Paul Fire.

Police deputy spokesperson Rae Hamoonga announced the arrest of the three preachers yesterday. In March 2016, 43-year-old Matilda Mwanza of Foxdale had a toothache and when she met pastor Kambazo, he assured her that bishop Nundwe was going to cure her.

At the time, Ms Mwanza had a cheque worth K70,000. Pastor Kambazo allegedly took Ms Mwanza to meet bishop Nundwe, and while they were discussing, the former said Ms Mwanza had a cheque worth K70,000. “She was then told to spend a night at the church. While there, she was approached by pastor Maureen Kakwenda, the wife of bishop Nundwe, who advised her to open an account the following day. “Pastor Kakwenda accompanied Matilda to the bank where upon opening an account, she was given an ATM [automated teller machine]

After some time, Ms Mwanza withdrew K40,000 and she was told to pay K21,000 as tithe in advance to cover four months. It is alleged that the ATM card remained with pastor Kakwenda, who later travelled to Kaputa, where she stayed for a month. In the meantime, Ms Mwanza went to seek treatment at the University Teaching Hospital because her toothache had worsened.

“When she [pastor Kakwenda] came back from Kaputa, she handed over the ATM card to Matilda, who decided to go to the bank to withdraw some money. To her surprise, there was no money in the account,” Mr Hamoonga said. He said the trio was picked up on Thursday around 16:00 hours and detained. They have been released on police bond and will appear in court soon. Mr Hamoonga said police will not relent in bringing to book men of God who swindle their congregants.

Last year, pastor Nundwe was sued by Matero resident Natasha Chileya, 21, for child maintenance. Earlier, pastor Nundwe denied being the father of the two children with Ms Chileya. He threatened to sue the Sunday Mail which reported that he had been sued for child maintenance.

However, pastor Nundwe later admitted being the father of the two children in the Matero Local Court. Pastor Nundwe said he could not afford to give  Ms Chileya K600 per month for child maintenance because he was depending on offerings from the church. Ms Chileya told the court that pastor Nundwe impregnated her when she was 16 years old.