A Harare church employee is facing serious allegations after reportedly losing US$20,000 in church funds in a failed bet on the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
The incident has sparked divisions among members of Fire of Revival Ministries in Glen View, with church leaders considering legal action while some congregants are calling for forgiveness and reconciliation.
The church clerk, Muchaitasei Desmond Chiweshe (42), is accused of using money collected through church contributions to place a bet on Argentina to win the World Cup final against Spain.
According to sources within the church, the funds had been raised over a period of three weeks through tithes, offerings, and special donations. The money was reportedly being saved for church projects, including the purchase of a bus and the expansion of a small hall.
Chiweshe, who was responsible for handling church financial transactions, allegedly transferred the funds from the church’s EcoCash business wallet into his personal betting account before placing the wager.
The bet was unsuccessful after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, while Argentina finished the match with 10 players following Enzo Fernández’s red card.
Following the loss, the church discovered that the money had disappeared, leading to an emergency meeting on Monday.
Church Leader Considers Legal Action
Fire of Revival Ministries founder Prophet Dr Sexmore Tungandere reportedly expressed disappointment and said he was prepared to involve the police.
He described the missing funds as money entrusted to the church by members for religious and development projects, saying the accused had abused the trust placed in him.
The prophet said Chiweshe had served in the church for years and should have protected the funds instead of using them for personal gambling.
Members Call for Mercy
The decision to consider criminal charges has, however, divided church members. Some congregants believe the matter should be handled through forgiveness, counselling, and spiritual guidance rather than the courts.
One church member said the accused had been part of the ministry for a long time and deserved an opportunity to correct his mistake.
Others argued that although the loss was serious, the church should balance accountability with compassion.
Reports indicate that Chiweshe admitted to using the money and apologised to church leaders. He allegedly said he became overconfident during the World Cup final and believed Argentina would win.
He reportedly offered to repay the money through future work.
The controversy has left the church facing a difficult decision, with some members demanding accountability while others are urging forgiveness and restoration.
Church leaders are expected to hold further discussions before deciding the next course of action.
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