RESTORATION Apostolic Pentecostal Church International (RAPCI) overseer James Mwale , fondly Yakobo Yakobo, has apologised for the attacks issued against Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili when the clergyman featured on a radio programme. And reverend Sumaili has urged clerics to be exemplary in character because they are the ‘salt of the earth’.

Independent Council of Churches in Zambia (ICOZ) president David Masupa said pastor Mwale, whose church is affiliated to ICOZ, has apologised for the attacks that he issued against rev Sumaili when he featured on Sun FM radio. Bishop Masupa said in a statement on Thursday that the RAPCI national board has also apologised to the minister.

“The overseer and national e x e c u t i v e b o a r d o f t h e R e s t o r a t i o n A p o s t o l i c Pentecostal Church International have apologised on the conduct of pastor Mwale and the attacks on the minister which were raised when the Prophet appeared on Sun FM in Ndola,” Bishop Masupa said. He said RAPCI national board and Pastor Mwale pledged to work and support the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs. And Bishop Masupa said Rev Sumaili recently held a meeting with ICOZ officials and Pastor Mwale following media reports that the clergyman was involved in sexual immorality.

“This case has reached its logical conclusion of clearing the overseer. The investigations were carried out alongside the Zambia Police Service in Ndola, who both found that the allegations were untrue,” Bishop Masupa said. pastor Mwale thanked the police and ICOZ Copperbelt North executive board for objectively conducting the investigations against him.

Bishop Masupa said rev Sumaili took time to counsel Pastor Mwale and tutored him on the need for “children of God to be exemplary as the light of the world and the salt of the earth”. He assured Government that it (ICOZ) will continue to counsel its affiliate members and the Church on the need to conduct themselves in a Godly manner in line with biblical dictates.