20 May 2021

Churches have been urged to be vigilant lest they become safe haven for money laundering and related criminal activities.

Directorate on Economic Crime and Corruption’s (DCEC) senior assistant director in the North West region, Mr Opelo Seemule, made the call at a meeting with faith based organisations’ representatives in Maun on Wednesday.

Mr Seemule said research had shown that some criminals, through the pretense of church donations, tithes and offerings, funded churches as a way of cleaning dirty money obtained through illegal means.

He said church members were also vulnerable since some pastors were involved in embezzlement of funds and emphasised prosperity gospel that focused on miracle money, warning that money should instead have origins.

Mr Seemule, therefore, appealed to the churches to work closely with the DCEC to curb money laundering and related crimes.

He said it was worrisome that most church members were reluctant to help with investigations where pastors were involved.

Mr Seemule also requested organisations that churches affiliated to, to have measures in place to address pastors that took part in criminal activities.

Principal anti-corruption officer, Ms Lucy Poonyane-Kolo, said DCEC had registered 34 corruption cases that involved churches between 2003 and 2012 and 17 cases of money laundering and embezzlement of church funds in the same period.

Ms Poonyane-Kolo said some pastors misappropriated church funds by enriching themselves.

Pastor Baboloki Gatang of Assemblies of God urged pastors to know their members and to help DCEC in the fight against corruption.

And Maun Ministers Fraternal chairperson, Apostle Terrence Sechele, said churches had a responsibility to change people from sinful nature to be acceptable.

Apostle Sechele therefore said the church should be effective in the fight against corruption by having transparent administrations and being accountable to the congregation and the nation. ends