Malawi News

Religion put under microscope

Religion put under microscope

The word out there is that with faith, everything is possible. But what happens when the impossible remains impossible? THOMAS KACHERE writes.

Fifty- two-year-old Ebel Manyamula has been paralysed for almost his entire life.

His facts of life are that when he was aged three, he suffered from leprosy.

From then on, he has been physically challenged.

Just that, as a member of a Christian fellowship, Manyamula held on to the faith that, one day, he would walk again.

And the ‘good news’ he had been waiting for came on Tuesday, April 16, this year when Manyamula, who comes from Mangirani Village in Chiradzulu District, heard that a servant of God from Nsanje, Prophetess Jersey Window, would be in his village for a night-long prayer session.

Scriptures were recited and songs of praise sang.

Before long, some of the congregants started testifying about what God had done to their lives, changing their lives from bad to good.

When it came to Manyamula’s turn, the prophetess prayed for him, surrounded by some congregants who were trampling on his feet, as ordered by the Prophetess.

This is according to the version from the court that handled the case.

A medical report in our possession shows that, after the activities of April 16 this year, Ebel had 12 stitches for wounds on both legs.

According to Ebel’s brother Joseph, Ebel became physically challenged when he was in standard 3.

“We were saddened with the development,” he said.

Times, which was the first media house to break the story online—namely on Times 360 Malawi— managed to engage the prophetess on the issue before she was arrested and taken to court.

In that interview, Window indicated that she was ready “to die for Jesus Christ”.

Before long, Chiradzulu Police Station officers arrested her.

The prophetess was remanded to Blantyre Prison, also known as Chichiri, as confirmed by Edward Kabango, spokesperson for South East Region Police.

They also arrested two more suspects, namely 32-year-old Veronica Wyson and 30-year-old Marita Wyson from Mangirani Village, Traditional Authority Nchema, in Chiradzulu District for causing grievous bodily harm to Ebel.

Then on Thursday, May 30 2024, Chiradzulu First Grade Magistrate Smart Maruwasa convicted the three and ordered them to pay K150,000.00 each.

He ordered that the money be used for compensating the victim.

Meanwhile, Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance Executive Director Victor Mhango has condemned men and women of God who go beyond limits.

“Justice should be seen to be done, even on people of God who go beyond the limits,” Mhango said.