Seventh-Day Adventists Deacons Beat Suspected Thief on Sabbath

SDA deacons beat suspected thief on Sabbath

May 22, 2012 | Filed under: Breaking News | Posted by: editor

The man beaten by elders on Sabbath

SOME Seventh Day Adventist Church deacons in Lusaka last Saturday abandoned their faith and instead pounced on a suspected thief who was found trying to steal a side mirror from a parked vehicle belonging to a church member.

A Supreme Timers Staffer Lydia Mudenda, who was at the scene, reports that a deacon of Lusaka Central SDA church for some unknown reasons decided to leave the church service and started to wander around and about.

She reports that as the deacon was wandering about, waiting for the church service to end so that he can go home, he saw a suspicious looking man loitering near the car park.

In the recent past, there have been complaints from church members that they found their side mirrors and other valuables stolen from the vehicles especially Toyota Corolla.

“I saw this thief (pointing at the lynched man) loitering in the car park, so I decided to monitor him. Upon realizing that I was monitoring him, he pretended to have gone away. I also pretended to have gone to church” the deacon was heard boasting to his associate after the incident.

Mudenda reports that when the deacon went into the church to inform another deacon that there was a man planning to steal some valuables from the vehicles in the car park.

She reports that as the two deacons went to check on the situation in the car park, they found the man stealing the side mirror from a vehicle belonging to a church member.

The two deacons then tactfully pounced on the man before that started beating him ruthlessly.

She reports that other church deacons also come out from church to join in beating the suspected thief before some onlookers joined in.

The Church service however remained uninterrupted.

Efforts to get a comment from church Pastor Clement Imolo proved futile by press time.

89 Responses to SDA deacons beat suspected thief on Sabbath

1. 
   That was good instant justice. People should learn to respect other people’s rights to conscience and religion. Even Jesus whipped those he found abusing the worshipping place. The gentleman should be an example to would be thieves!

   PC - May 22, 2012
   20:59
2. That is what we used to call physical counselling in my SDA church before I left Zambia. You can imagine you get a loan to buy a car only for a chap who does not even sweat to come and feast on your hard earned property. Any way, nowadays such a one should have been taken for overnight prayers.

   Mwape D - May 22, 2012
   20:10
3. I have no pity for a thief. They should have killed him. He wanted to take advantage of worshipers? To hell with him, deacons, a well done job. Be on the lookout and should you find nother, chop off his legs, they are very stupid. They think we just get vehicles? We sweat for them but he wants to get a side mirror. If i was around i would kill him, they are making our tribe dirty. How i wissh i was of another tribe not known on planet earth. Come on head deacon! Come on Barbra!

   KH - May 22, 2012
   19:49
4. you are lucky mr thief the youth, especially the Master Guides didnt pour out their zeal on you, next time you wont be so lucky. guys be careful sda’s and catholicas we dont want rwanda genocide! the wise shall understand

   under five - May 22, 2012
   19:10
5. @nsama, u are hopeless-wanisekesa mu bemba wakantu iwe

   Bazamuka - May 22, 2012
   19:02
6. @ be my guest.
   if you are a male, stop thinking with your dick.a female no words
   WANT THE DEACONS DID WAS BEST.VERY VERY GOOD.

   yes - May 22, 2012
   18:46
7. The deacons beat up a thief, so what! You people who call yourselves worshipers have also stolen, lied, committed adultery, fornicated, contributed to rumors, back stabbers, laughed and mock people you know who have lost their wealth. Christian Nation? I wonder. Hypocrites.

   Sherlock - May 22, 2012
   18:27
8. I am an Adventist, and I am saddened that this happened. The thief was apparently caught in the act. It is not our duty to exact vengeance. That is God’s duty. He could have simply been detained and either carried to the police, or held until the police arrived.

   As it is, my dear brothers responsible for the physical damage to the man could possibly be themselves liable to criminal sanction. I understand why they may have done it, but it does not justify them. I hope they understand not only the spiritual condemnation upon their actions, but also the impact it will have on efforts by those same Central Church members in witnessing to anyone.

   I am curious, did anyone pray with or for the thief in his presence? If he resisted and they had to exert physical force to detain him, that is different. It seems to me though that more than necessary physical force to detain him was utilized.

   Please pray to God for your forgiveness, and ask this man for forgiveness too.

   Phacetious Plebbe - May 22, 2012
   18:10
9. tuma corolla nisochabe.anyway its so painful to hv ur property temperd with

   anone - May 22, 2012
   18:09
10. Am an Adventist but this is just plain wrong, whether done on Sabbath or any other day.

    msanawanzili - May 22, 2012
    16:21
11. Interesiting reading..to be honest these thieves in Lusaka have taken advantage of worshipers. I do not know the experience in other churches. am also an Adventist but not from central church. we have reached an extent to ensure some deacons are put on outside security to guard vehicles for worshipers because of thieves. at my church we used to replace toilet accessories every week. Why should people who are not disabled decide to take advantage of others who meet for worhip?? I think they did well to beat except maybe baliuma sana. its very frustrating and annoying. it means people now shud stop concentrating during worship.others come into church as though they come to worship and search ladies bags when people are praying. As a result now some deacons have to remain with eyes wide open during prayers to catch such people. the one who talks about Ellen G. White as a false prophet does not even know what kind of books she wrote. Look for one and read it and comment after reading if you will still maintain your stance.
    Others come in the name of being stranded, e.g. am from mpika so i need transport, if you want to take them to intercity to buy them tickets they get angry with you.

    There is alot happening in churches these days.Its now time for professional thieves. Who said the christian should always be taken for granded. someone will go and shit just because its in church ground and expects deacons to come and pray for him?? No ways. Let him go to the devil who influenced him that christians do not entertain stealing, let him steal from fellow thieves

    KAss - May 22, 2012
    16:11
12. Good !! these thieves need to be pounded so as to deter would be pompwes.

    Pa Bwato - May 22, 2012
    15:43
13. Am surprised that a wrong act is being attributed to one’s tribe and origin. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Am not saying the thief was right but we should be careful how we use words. Don’t forget the Rwanda genocide. A wrong is a wrong and I’m sure it’s not only Bembas in prisons. Are we forgetting the killer Chilala, does that make all Tongas murderers? We are all Zambians let’s not be divisive.

    NC - May 22, 2012
    15:42
14. The name for the thief is andrew Mulenga from Kanyama compound…judge for yourself.

    I HATE FORNICATORS. - May 22, 2012
    15:20
15. The blogger who writes that ” no wonder they are following their false prophet , Ellen White” is just unfair to the members of this church. I wonder what kind of people others are that they have open hatred of certain religious groups. Please do not be a judge leave that one to god alone. Concentrate on your perceived true faith and let’s see it will take you to heaven instead of calling people of other faiths names.

    kaifa Matimba - May 22, 2012
    15:18
16. A Thief deserves that kind of treatment. Who ever is critising the act is full of pretence, just wait till you are visited we will see your actions.

    zuze zuze - May 22, 2012
    15:06
17. The thief is a caholic, in fact a former seminarian from chilonga mission. He is Bemba and was in he same intake with bakateka.

    Yama Mwintombela kwipaya - May 22, 2012
    14:57
18. i feel bad insala eyilenga

    Iris And Nathan - May 22, 2012
    14:49
19. Shame on you so called deacons, who gave you the authority to judge and sentence this man, he should have been taken to the custodians of the law. Never read the bible HE WHO HAS NOT SINNED, CAST THE FIRST STONE?

    Kubweka - May 22, 2012
    14:46
20. Bakamuuma bakacita kabontu maningi. What happenned was good for a reason. It was not new to the SDA members loosing their valuables at Central during worshipping. He is lack he was not stonned to death. Because we worship God of second chance it is time for him to accept Jesus Christ as his personal saviour and let him confess his sin for Jesus is just to forgive those who humbly bow, plead and seek His face.

    mainza - May 22, 2012
    14:40
21. No wonder they follow a false prohetess by the name of Ellen G, white

    Judge Kajimanga - May 22, 2012
    14:20
22. No comment! Was this wrong or right and why?

    Headman Kagoli - Monze District - May 22, 2012
    13:51
23. The physical counciling was too much bros to the extent of engaging the outsiders sure.

    kenny - May 22, 2012
    13:51
24. If the ansestors of bembas first camped in baroste or tonga land before settling in those kolwe infested jungles of northern province am sure things would be different for their sons and daughters today. I pity this bemba thief! Like its a picture from that movie ‘the passion of christ’ sure!

    Kanyakula - May 22, 2012
    13:48
25. Deacons please visit this man where ever he is. Pray with him that you taught him a lesson physically please also teach him spiritually. Amen

    Captain - May 22, 2012
    13:31
26. I thinking of producing a short movie based on this story. Title is “THE PASSION OF A THIEF!”

    Peso - May 22, 2012
    13:28
27. Hehehehe, it was a special baptism for the thief on the Sabbath, am sure he repented truely and never to steal again. Thieves targeting side mirrors are too much especially at car parks around ZSIC building, Premium House in Kamwala.

    Tione - May 22, 2012
    13:22
28. @dot com lol…..you are crazy

    Mama - May 22, 2012
    13:18
29. This is what happens when the Police and Laywers(Nchito)cannot help or they are corrupt. Even Jesus chased those who were selling in a place of worship. Deacons, please repent as what you did is wrong!

    BAROTSELAND BOYS! - May 22, 2012
    13:15
30. Decons are the security people so biting some one is one of the duties of security. GO on decon bit them.

    Decon bb - May 22, 2012
    13:03
31. If the devil attacks you physically, Do not hesitate to attack the devil physically….!! whatever your hand findeth to do, do it with all your mighty…..

    dot com - May 22, 2012
    12:56
32. Christ when he was here on earth he taught his followers how to keep the sabbath holy though actions and words. Christ said that it is right to do what is good on the sabbath. You see the sabbath was made for man not the man for sabbath, this means that man should not be a slave on this day but it must be a day of freedom and liberty from sin and physical pains unto salvation. This thief was supposed to find salvation from sin from this deacon. Any one who keep the sabbath should make sure that on this day any evil man or sick man must meet Jesus through him. It is sad that this thief as a sinner didn’t meet Jesus Christ on this day through that deacon. The deacon was supposed to tkae that thief and treat him as Christ would have treated a sinner by showing him the way to eternal life. He was suppsed to make that sinner free from sin of stealing spiritually than physically.
    Both the thief and the deacon never kept the sabbath day holy and they are wrong in the eyes of God they both need confession of this sin to God. Sabbath is holy, so nothing should be done unholy.

    DSChib - May 22, 2012
    12:54
33. Ha ha ha koma benze bamuchaya bad ka. Akungo ipweteka chabe.
    stealing at church. he must go to hell.

    Grace - May 22, 2012
    12:48
34. Both parties, the thief and the “deacons” got it wrong. “Thou shall not steal” [THIEF], “Violence I do hate” ["DEACONS"].

    musungwa musungwa - May 22, 2012
    12:44
35. These Deacons should be charged by police
    for assaulting the thief.They have committed
    a crime after another crime.The thief should
    have been apprehended and handed over to the
    police.What has happened to human rights in
    Zambia kanshi?Deacons,you cant just take the
    law in your hands!!!

    BE MY GUEST - May 22, 2012
    12:41
36. This treatment should be meted out to those chaps who want to steal K14 Billion from DBZ

    Chi Ukwa Tiyeuko! - May 22, 2012
    12:38
37. A thief deserves equal justice whether instant or judiciary.Well done SDA Deacons.

    CHISE,Mpika

    Sekonde Chibale - May 22, 2012
    12:36
38. well done decons i even regret missing the service….But did he repent of his sins after reseving good beatings from men of God?hehehehe

    REX - May 22, 2012
    12:26
39. MMm ninshi mu church mwalifye ama deacons on this day??

    Manko - May 22, 2012
    12:19

Newer Comments →

1. I have enjoyed the for and aganist debate. It is difficult to say who is right or wrong, I have purely learnt from you all bloggers. I am sure the debate continues.Decon or thief who to support? Could this be compared to Mohan and a judge in the Mmembe saga? Please note that both these cases involve humans who have fallen short of God’s glory before.

   Zed Poor People - May 22, 2012
   12:16
2. Well done men of God .This thief must go and ask for spare change from Sata ,Mmembe and Nchito.

   utu jiri jiri - May 22, 2012
   12:12
3. Church must have been boring for the deacon to go and pass time outside, anyway he must be from armcor or G3 and was doing rehearsals before warming up for work

   Kabwe resident - May 22, 2012
   12:05
4. Ala mwebene chalo, we have seen for ourselves that it does not pay to steal but you can ask and your request will be given.

   I support the deacons for what they did coz, if he was taken to police, he would have returned the same day to steal from the same place. We mob justice as our security organs are sleeping.

   What I know is that, where ever a good number of people gather, at least there should an officer or two.

   JINX-CHINA - May 22, 2012
   11:58
5. Edward.from your reaction i can only conclude that you are of this man’s tribe where you dont see anything wrong in stealing.

   wangu - May 22, 2012
   11:56
6. Barotseland black bull, what would you do if you found a neighbour fisting on your wife in your own house as you return from a Barotse Freedom meeting? Are you going to let the man free, probably, untill Barotseland finally secceds from zambia since you guys have no regard for ZP?

   J J - May 22, 2012
   11:49
7. he got wt he dzved.dont blame da church.u guyz who blaming da church,if u think umambala is gud,try it ku kopala sda church and see hw we are going to baptise u

   BRIGHTON CHUMA - May 22, 2012
   11:47
8. Bibles says a thief comes to steal and kill so i dont blame the deacons for teaching that man to respect other peoples property. Just last months, thieves broke into my house and stole electronics plus some cash when my family and i were at church. It pained me big. Police, very useless! They wanted me to start spending money on them to ivestigate the case. Well done deacons!

   J J - May 22, 2012
   11:40
9. Good job deacons! Thats the work of deacons – to serve others!

   Mubanga - May 22, 2012
   11:35
10. This is the fix our nation finds itself. There is no confidence building No hope inspiration only talk about corruption in the home, outside home, at work, and every where. Those who talk against are themselves called corrupt, those who do not talk are themselves called corrupt and Zambia today is a corrupt organism with no hope to go by. How do I know that? Tell me which part of our society has not been called corrupt? The words that add salt to morality are all thrown away. For instance the word “Some” like in Some judges, Some policemen, Some community members etc. If you say Zambians are corrupt it means all except none, If you say the Police is corrupt it means all policemen except none, If you say Politicians are corrupt it means all except none etc. What a shame we have become from top to bottom!!!!!!! Shame on us indeed!!!!!!

    Zondani Lungu - May 22, 2012
    11:35
11. we ourselves are busy destroying this country, how can we talk of Bembas as thievies or Tongas as SDAs, a thief is a thief .be it as Assemblies of God Catholic or Jehova`s witness. which church member would take a thief as a goodman, if thieves ve not stollen frm yo home or attacked you in anyway, yes you can say the deacons were wrong but surely losing a view mirrors and drive in Lusaka isnt that suicide?

    frank - May 22, 2012
    11:31
12. You shall not steal. The wage of SIN is death. He got the benefit of what he was looking for and taking advantage og the Sabbath Keepers.

    Teddy - May 22, 2012
    11:19
13. if u break the law, you face stoning! the deacons applied the law. infact they were supposed to cut off his hands hehe lol sabbath

    Yayayaya! - May 22, 2012
    11:18
14. Pipo stop lying,deacons were not supposed to beat the thief, rather apprehend and surrender him to the law enforcers. To make the matter worse it was on sabbath,what they did was contrary to wat they preach-repent its not to let!!

    Barotseland Black Bull - May 22, 2012
    11:12
15. Nearly All the towns on the Copper belt,you can see sanity even on the road’s Pedestrian crossing, because, as soon as you enter, you observe motorists driving respectfully.Wall fences are also a rare sight.Not so in the Capital city; YOU ‘VE to Run for your life.Lets respect peoples’Life and Property.

    Conservative - May 22, 2012
    11:05
16. The man was sent by the devil.The wages of sin is death. He is lack he didnt die.Basopo kawalala.

    Godfery Kanungo - May 22, 2012
    11:05
17. Please, dont blame the deacons. They are Zambians also and they know well how our justice system works. If they took him to Police he would be arrested and appear in court. If he pleads guilty in court right away the court would demand that he proves his guilty. If he pleads not guilty trial would continue. In all this process, lawyers as usual would be there to confuse themselves taking opposite sides until they have all been paid what is due to them. It’s better to be a deacon to unleashes instant justice on a thief on the sabbath than a lawyer who lies in court on monday to save a thief.

    syndicate - May 22, 2012
    11:04
18. please do not say that the deacon was “wandering” and waiting for the service to end that is wrong. the deacons are there to monitor what is happening. do not tarnish the names of other people okay.

    delady - May 22, 2012
    10:51
19. Kabwalala ngu kabwalala sabata olo nsondo,trying to use sabath as an advantage tachibeleki tulimu makide alimwi muchiumwa

    Kelvin Himwiita - May 22, 2012
    10:49
20. Well done deacons, after all you are the church’s security/investigative wing! Spot-on!

    Lukwesa - May 22, 2012
    10:37
21. Well done Deacons for being vigilant.

    Ugly Truth - May 22, 2012
    10:33
22. ill informed thief, he thought sabbath was open for his activities. well done deacons he got his share of sabbath. no wonder God says thou shall not steal.

    Gaddafi2 - May 22, 2012
    10:28
23. Xactly Zega bondo,edward nsma…..taking the law in their own hands ka?? Police station mudala. If Zambians think like you guys then will be heading somewhere unlike nowhere. Or xpose him to church members and pray for him coz the gentleman needs deliverance thats all he has a demon of stealing ..easy

    Kalon - May 22, 2012
    10:27
24. mayo!

    kanthu - May 22, 2012
    10:26
25. Dear all, it is good that some of you have even commented on this story without getting the whole truth about it. This story is not true, and the image projected is not real. There was no person who wanted to still the car mirror on Sabbath. The only free advise i would like to give to all news reporters is that they should stop abusing the media for their personal gains.

    C.N.Imolo - May 22, 2012
    10:20
26. oh,that brocken down man is a bemba beaten by SDA Tongas.

    loyola - May 22, 2012
    10:18
27. This should move the deacons to understand the bible well. There was nothing wrong in them doing any physical GOOD work on sabbath or any other day according to the bible. every day should be “sabbath” to Christians in that we are supposed to be doing things in accordance to bible principles. Here they are, protecting their assets on the “sabbath”. was this wrong? would God punish them for cooking food for their family on “sabbath? would he punish them for taking their sick child to hospital on “sabbath”? let them Go back to the bible.

    kanthu - May 22, 2012
    10:18
28. That brocken down man looks like a Tonga beaten by SDA Tongas on sabath.

    loyola - May 22, 2012
    10:16
29. The deacons must be tongas and the thief obviously is a bemba looking for “more money in his pockets” with blessings from the president.

    Jacob Zume - May 22, 2012
    10:15
30. HAS IT GOT TO DO WITH TONGA AS TRIBE . BWALYA YOU ARE TRIBALIST MR BROTHER YOU NEED JESUS. WHAT WAS THAT THIEF ? I HOPE IT IS NOT WHAT I SUSPECT.

    wapya munzi - May 22, 2012
    10:14
31. The wages of sin is death, but free gift God is life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Sachi - May 22, 2012
    09:59
32. This really shocking and intriguing news. God help us!!

    Firestone - May 22, 2012
    09:58
33. I really thank the deacons for their effort to apprehend the thief however they should have taken the thief to the law enforcement officers.

    clement shimumbi - May 22, 2012
    09:46
34. SDA at it again They must be Tonga Deacons I remember at school 90% members used to come from monze , bweegwa etc.

    They should have preached to him and help him with capital to start a kantemba

    Octopus paul Bwalya - May 22, 2012
    09:44
35. The Deacons are just human.They did well to that Devil who was trying to take advantage of the Sabath.Thieves should not be tolerated.You should have killed the bugger.

    Boma Ni Boma - May 22, 2012
    09:44
36. What happened to the law of keeping the sabath holy and not engaging in any physical activity on this holy day, deacons?

    Deep Thinker - May 22, 2012
    09:41
37. he got what was coming to him

    preacherman - May 22, 2012
    09:39
38. They did well why steal at church, he thought if they caught him they will give him more ahahahahahah.

    chanda mwamba - May 22, 2012
    09:38
39. hahahahahahahahahha pweketest hahahahhah

    THE REPORTER - May 22, 2012
    09:34
40. By their fruits you shall recognise them

    Yolinda Nduu - May 22, 2012
    09:28
41. U may use force if does not want surrender. There was nothing wrong about what the deacon did. The role of deacon/ like usher in other churches is to maintain law and order at the church. even your child is crying its actually the deacon’s duty to help u calm it donw.

    sTATE@MMM.COM - May 22, 2012
    09:27
42. Well done deacon. The thief should look for “more money” elsewhere….

    Taxi Driver Hooting & Celebrating- May 22, 2012
    09:21
43. its good that he was beaten he was disciplined because that is what he deserves at all

    XER REEVES - May 22, 2012
    09:21
44. Thats typical of SDAs’. In Matero they encronched a public road until the LCC put a stop to it.

    hallo - May 22, 2012
    09:16
45. Biblically the thief should have been apprehended, and minimmum force should have been exercised on the thief to avoid breaking the Sabbath. However, the decision to apprehend the thief on the Sabbath is justified. In Israel the IDF work on the Sabbath to maintain security, and even during the times of Israel, the Jews had an army that would defen itself even on holy days including the Sabbath. Just because it is the Sabbath does not mean you can allow someone pick your pocket and all you do is smile at them. Thats why I pray with my eyes open when Iam in Lusaka. Therefore, the devil should not think he cannot be man handled on the Sabbath just because it is the Sabbath. However, worhsippers should know what is adequate restraint and not go beyond to meting out instant justice of the thief has already been immobilised or apprehended. I rest my case.

    SDA Deacon - May 22, 2012
    09:15
46. wat do yu expect? he deserved the servicing

    chali - May 22, 2012
    09:13
47. KWENA MULI BAWELEWELE, YOU MEAN YOU CANT JUST COUNSEL THIS PERSON OR JUST TO TAKE HIM TO THE LAW ENFORCING AGENCIES THAN TO POUNCE ON HIM LIKE THAT? YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE SOCIETY. AND YOU DON’T DESERVE TO BE DEACONS BECAUSE YOU ARE THUGS.THE ONLY APOLOGY YOU CAN GIVE TO THE NATION IS TO STEP DOWN AS CHURCH DEACONS. AND START BOXING INSTEAD. MWEFIPUMBU MWE!!!!

    edward nsama - May 22, 2012
    09:11
48. Hehehehehehehe,they served him well on sabbath!!!

    Chuumbu - May 22, 2012
    09:07
49. Ala kabili!

    Ndora N$hiliya - May 22, 2012
    09:07
50. Christians? My foot. Why take the law in your own hands instead of taking the thief to the police? Some people just hide in the church, they themsleves are thugs. I am not supporting the car mirror thief, but all I am saying is that this guy should have been handed over to the police.

    Zega-bondo - May 22, 2012
    09:05

Source: http://www.zambianwatchdog.com/2012/05/22/sda-deacons-beat-suspected-thief-on-sabbath/comment-page-1/#comments