Tanzania shuts down church accused of controversial sermons, practice

Dar es Salaam. The government has ordered the closure of a church which pastor is accused of controversial sermons and other practices that officials said violate the regulations.

Christian Life Church, located in Buza Kwa Lulenge, Temeke District, in Dar es Salaam, is one of the churches that reportedly charged up to Sh500,000 per person to receive prayers from the pastor.

Read: Exposed: How some Pastors have turned religion into a money-making venture

The church pastor Dominique Kashoix Dibwe is famously known as "Kiboko ya Wachawi'' (Swahili for Scourge of Witches).

A letter from the Office of the Registrar of Societies, dated July 25, 2024, which The Citizen has seen, directed the chairperson of church to close the church branch, explaining that such decision was based on activities that were contrary to the requirements of the law.

The letter signed by the Registrar of Societies, Mr Emmanuel Kihampa, accused the church of sermons that incite public unrest, sermons that contradict Tanzanian morals, customs, and culture and allegations of demeaning individuals at the altar.

The letter also accuses the pastor of preaching divisive messages and encouraging church members to kill other people on allegations of witchcraft.

“… you are hereby informed that you are required to cease all activities and services provided at this church branch before July 28, 2024,” reads part of the letter which circulated through social media.

Section 17 of the Societies Act allows the registrar of societies to cancel any registered society or branch for different reasons, including if it’s being used or likely to be used for unlawful purposes, or for any purpose prejudicial to or incompatible with the maintenance of peace, order and good government.

The registrar is also allowed to cancel societies affiliated to any organisation or group of a political nature established outside Tanzania and those which deviate from the declared objectives.

The letter wa copied to the Minister of Home Affairs, the Inspector General of Police, the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, and the Temeke District Commissioner for appropriate action.

Following the news of the church closure, some neighbours saw some items being removed from the church.

A local government leader, Mr Shabani Ramadhani, said he saw curtains and speakers being removed from the church, leading him to question the issue.

“I was told that a letter had come from Dodoma instructing that this man’s activities here be stopped immediately,” he said on Saturday.

He was informed by those removing the items that the church officials were given a letter on July 26.

“Today, people were not praying here and I see that this notice was issued starting yesterday. The main issue seems to be charging people money and alleging they are killing witches,” he added.

“I met those working there complaining about where they will go,” he said.

Efforts to contact pastor Dibwe were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not answered.

Unlike other days when the church is usually crowded, that evening, only a few people were seen continuing to remove church equipment and loading it onto a small lorry.

Read: How miracles, testimonies are crafted by 'pastorpreneurs'

The closure comes about two weeks after The Citizen published a series of articles which exposed some modern prophets and priests amassing wealth by charging congregants for prayers. They have also been earning from selling “anointing and healing products” such as water, salt, oil and cloth which are touted “holly.”