A Clergyman from the Fountain Apostolic Church of Zambia has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Livingstone High Court sitting in Mazabuka for causing the death of a 20-year-old congregant, Onil Moya.

The church man identified as Derrick Singani was charged with manslaughter contrary to Section 199 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars are that on 22nd July 2023, in Monze district, Singani, jointly and whilst acting together with Wilson Moya, did cause the death of Onil Moya.

Facts before the court are that on the aforesaid date, Singani, in the company of the deceased, was at Filiot Dam for worship, with the latter set to be baptised by him.

The deceased, however, drowned during the process of baptism, and it was later established that Singani had no lawful authority to conduct the baptism rite.

Singani stated that he had authority to baptise, citing a Bible verse in Matthew 28:19 as instructing him to go out into the world to teach and baptise believers, with himself having already undergone the rite.

However, Judge Lombe Phiri said his argument did not add to the matter he was facing, further instructing the police to undertake investigations on the named church to find out if it operates in accordance with the law.

Bytafm Zambia