Zimbabwean Church Clerk Loses US$20,000 Offering to Sports Betting on World Cup Final

A Zimbabwen church clerk in Harare has allegedly lost US$20,000 of church money after betting it on the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The incident has caused tension at the church after the founder and prophet threatened to lay criminal charges against the clerk, drawing criticism from some members who say he should forgive instead.

Muchaitasei Desmond Chiweshe (42), the church clerk at Fire of Revival Ministries in Glen View, is accused of diverting accumulated church funds from the church’s mobile money wallet and placing a large bet on Argentina to win the final on Sunday evening, 19 July.

The US$20,000 was not collected in one day. Church sources say it was money raised over the past three weeks through tithes, offerings and special contributions towards buying a new church bus and completing a small hall extension. Chiweshe, who handled the church’s finances and mobile money transactions, had full access to the funds.

On Sunday night, while watching the World Cup final, Chiweshe allegedly transferred the money from the church’s EcoCash business wallet to his personal betting account and bet on Argentina to win the match.

Spain won the final 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute. Argentina played with 10 men in the closing stages after midfielder Enzo Fernández received a red card.

Chiweshe’s bet failed and the entire US$20,000 was lost.

Prophet Dr Sexmore Tungandere, founder of Fire of Revival Ministries, expressed strong anger when the missing funds were discovered on Monday morning.

“This is theft of God’s money. The funds were raised by members for the work of the church. I will not let this pass. I am prepared to lay charges against him,” Prophet Dr Tungandere told members who gathered at the church on Monday.

He said Chiweshe had been trusted for years and had no right to use the money for personal gambling.

However, the prophet’s threat to involve the police and lay charges has drawn criticism from some congregants and observers. Several members have privately questioned why the church is rushing to criminal charges instead of following biblical teachings on forgiveness.

One senior church member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The Bible says we should forgive seventy times seven. This man has been part of the church for a long time. Threatening to lay charges against a fellow congregant is not the way of Christ. We should pray for him and restore him, not destroy his life.”

Others have argued that while the loss of money is painful, the church should handle the matter internally through counselling and discipline rather than involving the criminal justice system.

Chiweshe reportedly confessed to the prophet and elders on Monday morning, saying he was carried away by the excitement of the World Cup final and believed Argentina would win. He has expressed regret and said he is willing to work and repay the money over time.

The incident has left the church divided, with some members supporting the prophet’s tough stance and others calling for mercy and forgiveness in line with Christian teachings.

Prophet Dr Sexmore Tungandere has not yet commented on the calls for forgiveness. The church is expected to hold further meetings to decide how to handle the matter.