Church elders have attacked Makoni over her stance. In an interview, a senior church member, Joseph Mukwada, said polygamy was natural to the church. We are special males in our church. We pray for sexual strength. We have elders who are trained to encourage and counsel us when one starts losing his sexual prowess, he said.
Another church elder, John Mashava, said the church was structured in such a way that the spread of HIV was limited, but admitted the incidence of HIV-Aids infection was a cause for concern. We are very strict and we monitor every male and female movement. We have the spirit that will tell us that someone is having extra-marital affairs. Those caught cheating on their wives or husbands are ex-communicated from the church, he said.
Mashava added that polygamy was a perfect tool for variety. Variety is the spice of life, and that is true for ones sexual life,
and polygamy is the best platform to experience that variety. You need a variety in diet to keep your (body) network strong, he said. He, however, admitted that there were cases of adultery.
We have dealt with cases were our old church members were forcing the young girl into marriage, whether or not their relationship was rooted in love. It is quite often that older men deceive the young girls, promising to marry, but after spoiling them, they try to run away from the responsibility, so we have to force them to own up, added Mashava.
We also have the young girls being forced into marriage at an early age are now having affairs with young boys of their age outside the church as they would be looking for sexual satisfaction, he added. Church member Timothy Zireva denied Makonis allegations.
No such thing happens. In fact, young men propose love to girls and get married just like everyone else. And the rules and regulations are like in any of the other churches no sex before marriage and being faithful to ones partner.
Post published in: News