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| Bishop Colin Nyathi (left) and the late Tani Tuturu (far right) Pic courtesy of Nehanda Radio |
The death of a Gweru-based pastor, Tani Tuturu who allegedly committed suicide this week threatens to open a can of worms on the operations of Harvest House International (HHI) church, which is headquartered in Bulawayo.
Congregants still in grief are also speaking out, although in hushed tones over the manner in which the church has turned into a slave-driver. Were the high demands to “keep up with the Joneses” by the church founder and leader, Bishop Collin Nyathi the real reason why Tuturu took his own life? This is the unspoken question on everyone’s lips.
Leaders within the church have pointed to several inherent problems—which if left unaddressed, could see yet more pastors taking their own lives. Those in the church’s inner circle this week said that Nyathi had built up a system around himself in which he was
invincible and could never be challenged.
“The Bishop is the one who lays down the law and he is never to be challenged and neither does he seek anyone’s counsel”, said a miffed church insider. Unable to continue to operate in a rigid structure, the late Tuturu before taking his own life is understood to have spoken to his elder brother, Chemani—who is Nyathi’s defacto right-hand man.
The elder brother’s counsel was for him to just stick it out for a little longer. The
elder Tuturu holds little sway when it comes to “The Bishop” and is unable to proffer a differing opinion to him—a paralyzing fear which cascades throughout the entire ministry.
Secondly, insiders said there is little regard for human capital and the enormous work put into making HHI the global phenomenon it is today. Nyathi appears to care only for himself, is a globetrotter and has all his children in some of the best universities overseas.
All this takes place while at home; the situation is glaringly different for some members of his senior leadership. The children of some of the senior ministers often are chased away from school for non-payment of fees. The late Tuturu was no exception and had to work under such difficult conditions.
Those who have since left HHI all speak of the same thing, and that is how the church will do anything for image, but would never care for its own people. Even in a time of grief and a loss not only to HHI, but to the body of Christ in Zimbabwe, the attitude which borders towards indifference has been shown.
The late Tuturu upon being found hanging in his office on Monday 4.30pm was to be taken to Bulawayo for a service the next day. The rushed programme did not give room for
congregants and those that worked under the late Tuturu’s watch a chance to mourn him and has left a most sour taste on their mouths.
Questions frequently asked now are; What was the urgency in quickly burying the fallen pastor before his congregants could say goodbye?
Was it the fact of getting rid of the stigma of a person who commits suicide? Was it to quickly remove the ‘inconvenience’ and the possible disruption of the conference which HHI is set to host at the Harare International Conference Centre soon?
There is still a golden silence, with the church not giving any answers. While Nyathi’s tough
leadership and the disregard for human resources in the church may have been considerations, it is the vicious cycle of finances which appears to have driven the death-knell and broke the camel’s back.
The late Tuturu had targets of money which he was meant to raise for the HHI conference, but was also faced with unpaid rentals of $15 000 for the church’s premises in Gweru. The man was simply caught in between a rock and a hard place.
Earlier this year, HHI splashed $10 000 for winners in its annual Clash of the Choirs choral competition—ironic considering that its Gweru branch was already wallowing in debts.
“The situation is so bad that many within the church say that they are not surprised by the death as the pressure for money and to perform is so bad that many have either left or just held on”, a former member said.
An introspection and re-invention of the entire system at HHI may be the best solution for the dark cloud hanging over the church and must aptly be led by Nyathi. It is hoped that Nyathi can change his ways and start talking to his leaders in a way that does not bring fear. As for the financial pressure, what will be the solution?
How does HHI stop losing all the different leaders they have lost and many others who have led in key positions, but could not take the pressure anymore and left?
The church will need to create an environment that does not have to result in the ultimate sacrifice that the late Tuturu had to pay. The next few months will tell if the winds of change will have blown over HHI or it will still remain business as usual. Nehanda Radio
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