BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE– The President of the League of African Churches (LAC), Chief Archbishop Professor Samson Hlatjwako, has warned churches and religious leaders against engaging in criminal and immoral conduct, saying such behaviour is contrary to Christian values and is damaging the credibility of the Church.
Chief Archbishop made the remarks during an interview on July 3, 2026, amid growing public concern over criminal cases involving some church leaders.
“It is now becoming a worrying trend to hear of people in churches committing crimes such as rape, murder, fraud and other unlawful acts. These actions are against the teachings of Christ and have no place in the Church,” he said.
His comments follow the case involving the leader of the Apostolic Faith Church International in Mfabantfu, Matsapha, who allegedly confessed to raping and strangling four women inside a church building.
The Archbishop said the incident, together with other recent criminal cases involving church leaders, underscores the need for churches to return to biblical principles and uphold the highest moral standards.
The League of African Churches is the umbrella body for many African Independent Churches in Eswatini. It is responsible for promoting unity among member churches, mediating leadership disputes, disciplining clergy who violate church rules and ethical standards, and working with state authorities when criminal offences involve church leaders. The organisation also vets ministries seeking affiliation as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and protect the integrity of the Church.
The warning also comes after other recent criminal cases involving church leaders, including allegations linked to document forgery, fraud and the unlawful transfer of a deceased person’s vehicle. The incidents have heightened public concern over accountability within some religious institutions and the need to uphold Christian values.
Hlatjwako said criminals hiding behind the pulpit would not be shielded by the Church. He stressed that the League would continue working with law enforcement to ensure that religious leaders accused of criminal offences face the full force of the law.
He said the League remained committed to disciplining errant clergy, investigating allegations of misconduct, resolving leadership disputes within member churches and strengthening the vetting of new ministries to prevent criminals from using churches as fronts for illegal activities.
The Archbishop urged churches to return to biblical principles, saying congregations should be places of hope, healing and integrity rather than fear and criminality.
He called on all church leaders to protect the sanctity of the Church by leading with honesty, accountability and moral discipline, warning that those who abuse their positions of trust would face both church discipline and the country’s justice system.
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(Courtesy Pic)
