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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter

Apostolic sects have been urged to avoid deep pools when baptising believers to minimise the dangers of drowning.

This comes on the back of the recent drowning of eight prophets from Vadzidzi VaJesu apostolic sect in Mazowe River in Rushinga while competing to retrieve a holy stick in deep waters during a ritual to select a baptist.

Zimbabwe Christian Ministers Association (ZCMA) Bishop Christopher Choto said church leaders should avoid conducting baptism in rivers that are too deep in order to protect the lives of people.

“There is nothing special or more spiritual to baptise people in running water. Every genuine leader must not give instructions that put followers at risk. As leaders, we must love and protect our followers at all times,’ he said.

Bishop Choto urged sect prophets not to do unlawful things and put people’s lives at risk.

This year in January alone 59 people drowned while crossing flooded rivers.

In 2016, six children died when a baptism ceremony went wrong in a stream led by a self-styled prophetess in Sadza, Mashonaland East.