Zim’s Catholic archibishop Ncube sued for adultery

HARARE – Zimbabwean Roman Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube was named in an adultery case on Monday in what his lawyers called an ‘orchestrated attempt’ to embarrass the outspoken government critic.

Attorney Nick Matonzi said Ncube was in his office in the second city of Bulawayo when documents were delivered by court officials accompanied by a state television crew alleging he was involved in a two-year affair with a secretary in his office whose husband was demanding damages in a civil suit. Matonzi said Ncube will deny the allegations in the civil court when it convenes at an unspecified date.State radio reported that the woman, identified as Rosemary Sibanda who worked at Ncube’s St Mary’s Cathedral, ‘admitted the affair to’ the state broadcasting company.State radio said the woman’s husband, Onesimus Sibanda, was demanding Z$20 billion (about US$160 000 at the dominant black market exchange rate) in damages.Ncube went on state television saying that a key doctrine preached by the church was forgiveness and when there was weakness, Christians asked for forgiveness.Nampa-APMatonzi said Ncube will deny the allegations in the civil court when it convenes at an unspecified date.State radio reported that the woman, identified as Rosemary Sibanda who worked at Ncube’s St Mary’s Cathedral, ‘admitted the affair to’ the state broadcasting company.State radio said the woman’s husband, Onesimus Sibanda, was demanding Z$20 billion (about US$160 000 at the dominant black market exchange rate) in damages.Ncube went on state television saying that a key doctrine preached by the church was forgiveness and when there was weakness, Christians asked for forgiveness.Nampa-AP