Zambia revokes work permits of Brazilian pastors ‘linked to Satanism’

LUSAKA – The Zambian government has de-registered a controversial evangelical sect and ordered its Brazilian pastors to leave the country following reports that it was practising Satanism, an official said on Saturday.

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), a sect originating in Brazil, will no longer be allowed to operate in Zambia and its certificate has been withdrawn with immediate effect, home affairs secretary Peter Mumba said. “We have with immediate effect de-registered the Universal Church and the work permits for its pastors have been revoked forthwith,” Mumba told AFP.He said the government had given the leaders of the UCKG in Zambia, Carlos Barcelos and Jammiya Claver, seven days to leave the country because their immigration permits had been withdrawn.”This is the end of the story of this church in Zambia,” Mumba said.Earlier in the week, the Zambian government suspended the operations of the UCKG pending investigations following reports that it was involved in human sacrifice.Thousands of people in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, went on a rampage last week, smashing windows of the sect’s premises and stoning vehicles after they were told that two people had been kidnapped and were about to be sacrificed.Last weekend Lusakans burned down some of the church buildings before marching to a newly constructed multi-million dollar cathedral, which the Universal Church was about to officially open this week.The controversial Universal Church of the Kingdom of God was banned by the Zambian government in 1997 but resumed operations after obtaining a court order.In February Madagascar banned the sect and ordered it to cease operations in the vast Indian Ocean island, four months after four of its members were jailed for burning a Bible and other religious objects.- Nampa-AFP”We have with immediate effect de-registered the Universal Church and the work permits for its pastors have been revoked forthwith,” Mumba told AFP.He said the government had given the leaders of the UCKG in Zambia, Carlos Barcelos and Jammiya Claver, seven days to leave the country because their immigration permits had been withdrawn.”This is the end of the story of this church in Zambia,” Mumba said.Earlier in the week, the Zambian government suspended the operations of the UCKG pending investigations following reports that it was involved in human sacrifice.Thousands of people in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, went on a rampage last week, smashing windows of the sect’s premises and stoning vehicles after they were told that two people had been kidnapped and were about to be sacrificed.Last weekend Lusakans burned down some of the church buildings before marching to a newly constructed multi-million dollar cathedral, which the Universal Church was about to officially open this week.The controversial Universal Church of the Kingdom of God was banned by the Zambian government in 1997 but resumed operations after obtaining a court order.In February Madagascar banned the sect and ordered it to cease operations in the vast Indian Ocean island, four months after four of its members were jailed for burning a Bible and other religious objects.- Nampa-AFP