In the latest scandal, the founding pastor of the church of ‘New Life in Jesus Christ’ is in hot water after an alleged love affair with a church member has gone sour.
Pastor Niyonsenga Ildefonse heads the ‘New Life in Jesus Christ’ church based in Muhanga district in southern province.
Murebwayire Viollette 20, a member of ‘New Life in Jesus Christ’ church, accuses pastor Niyonsenga of neglecting her after a short love affair that resulted into an unwanted pregnancy that was later terminated in an unclear way.
Murebwayire’s Account
Murebwayire told IGIHE that on March 17, at about 7PM, Pastor Niyonsenga called her on phone asking her to find him at his private office at Muhima near Tigo telecom offices.
The pastor had told her that he wanted her assistance to buy some gifts of a church member.
However, Murebwayire had refused to appear at the pastor’s private office but the pastor insisted her assistance was vital saying he would also give her a job he had promised her.
She later rushed to the pastor’s private office at Muhima. While at the office, the pastor made romantic advances to her attempting to kiss her but she escaped to another room where she hid until 10PM.
After lengthy negotiations Murebwayire moved out of the room back into the pastor’s office. The pastor promised to use a condom and this is when Murebwayire gave in.
However, during the sexual encounter, the pastor removed the condom and threw it out of the window and continued having unprotected sex.
A few days later, Murebwayire informed the pastor that she felt pregnant and the pastor gave her Frw 10,000 instructing her to buy an anti pregnancy pill.
However, Murebwayire went to a clinic for a pregnancy test which turned out Positive.
She informed the pastor that medical tests had confirmed she was pregnant but the pastor told her, there was no any other solution apart from an abortion but Murebwayire objected.
On Easter day March 30, Pastor Niyonsenga telephoned Murebwayire telling her that he then had enough time and asked her to meet him at the office to discuss the issue of their unborn child.
Murebwayire without hesitation went to the pastor’s office where she says she found other three men she didn’t know. While in the office, the pastor Niyonsenga served Murebwayire with juice in a glass and she drunk it.
Murebwayire told IGIHE that she only remembers sipping the juice and by the time she returned to consciousness, she realized she was sleeping down wearing a sanitary pad (yet on her arrival she wasn’t wearing any).
She asked pastor Niyonsenga what had happened to her and why she was wearing a pad. The pastor told her he had terminated her pregnancy because there was no other way-out.
She told IGIHE that from then she continued to bleed and was rushed to Kabgayi hospital for medical attention. She said the pastor paid for her treatment but later suspended the payments.
Until today, Murebwayire says she is still bleeding and feeling weak and is unable to walk properly. IGIHE noticed as Murebwayire took more than 30 minutes climbing stairs to IGIHE office at fourth floor. She was later aided by our reporter downstairs.
The pastor allegedly suspended any payments to cover Murebwayire’s medical bill as a way of terminating any dealings with her.
Church Members Fear to Speak
IGIHE talked to several members of the ‘New Life in Jesus Christ’ most of whom are aware of pregnancy scandal. Murebwayire had told the church management team about her plight with pastor Niyonsenga.
However, the members say pastor Niyonsenga is feared and thus no one would dare to introduce the subject within the church.
Church members also said, they had always seen pastor Niyonsenga with Murebwayire in the same car every time they came for prayers at the church and would drive back to Kigali together.
The members of the church also said Murebwayire’s medical help was suspended after other pastor’s pressured pastor Niyonsenga to avoid the lady.
Pastor Fulgence of the same church told IGIHE that Murebwayire had informed him about her situation but after the abortion. “She just told me but there is no evidence”.
However, Pastor Komeza told ridiculed Murebwayire saying that she should be arrested for carrying out an abortion, “The Almighty should expose such people”.
Pastor Niyonsenga Version
IGIHE held an exclusive interview with Pastor Niyonsaba and specifically inquired from him whether he has had a romantic relationship with Murebwayire.
He said, “it’s a naked lie”. it’s the work of other pastors who are not happy with my work within the church. They are using Murebwayire to taint my name.
Pastor Niyonsaba said there are some pastors in the church that are very jealous of him.
However, the pastor admitted that he usually drove Murebwayire from Kigali to Muhanga but later stopped after being told that she didn’t have proper conduct.
The pastor also admitted to IGIHE that he had given money (Frw2, 000 and Frw5, 000) saying he didn’t remember what she wanted to buy.
Pastor Niyonsenga protested saying he can not have a romantic relationship with Murebwayire because her moral conduct isnt proper.
Pastor Niyonsenga accuses Pasitori Dieudonne for being behind this smear campaign. Pasitori Dieudonne is alleged to have rebelled against the Muhanga based ‘New Life in Jesus Christ’ Church and subsequently established his own in Burundi in protest.
Pastor Niyonsenga accuses among others of being behind the smear campaign include a church members; Mama Sage, Eugene and Pastor Karekezi both of the same church.
IGIHE was shown some txt messages sent to pastor Niyonsenga ; “Harya ngo wigize hatari uzamenya ko ndi umuyobozi muri iki gihugu.Amasoko yose ugomba guhag. N’amanyanga yawe ngo uradukangisha iyo modoka waguze ngo iyindi twarayijyanye? Sawa.” Sent by :0731040848.
Another txt message reads; “Utubwira ko ari iterabwoba, ahubwo nijye urimo kubikurikirana naba ofisiye bane babihawe .Pole ild.”
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