Apostle was publicly attacked during a Sunday service by the family of a university student who claims he impregnated her and later urged her to have an abortion.
Apostle Trust Zvikomborero Chakona, founder and pastor of Grace Life Embassy, was assaulted while preaching at the church’s central Harare branch. Witnesses said the dramatic confrontation took place in full view of congregants, with the altercation ending in torn clothing and public humiliation for the pastor.
The conflict centers around allegations made by a young woman identified only as Jean, a university student. Jean told H-Metro that Apostle Chakona had been in a romantic relationship with her for several months, during which he promised to marry her. She further alleged that after becoming pregnant, the pastor pressured her to terminate the pregnancy. When she refused, she said he blocked all communication and began distancing himself from her.
“He told me to get an abortion,” Jean said. “When I refused, he started making excuses and eventually cut me off completely. My family tried several times to meet with him, but he ignored us. That’s why they decided to go to his church—to confront him directly, since he had been avoiding us.”
Jean also pushed back against claims made by the pastor that she initiated the relationship. “For him to say I seduced him and demanded intimacy is not only false, but deeply disrespectful. If he truly values his calling as a man of God, why didn’t he resist? He never once mentioned that he was married. We started dating around June last year, and during that time, he was promising to marry me.”
In response to the allegations, Apostle Chakona acknowledged having a relationship with Jean but claimed he was manipulated. Speaking to H-Metro, he admitted to having intimate contact with her but argued that Jean was the one who initiated it.
Apostle Attacked During Church Service Over Alleged Affair and Abortion Pressure
“She was constantly asking to spend time with me, and I gave in,” he said. “Yes, I got married in December last year, but the affair happened in February this year. As for the pregnancy, I don’t even know if it’s mine. But she seems determined to blame me.”
He expressed his distress over being attacked in front of his congregation. “Her relatives came into my place of worship, insulted me, and physically assaulted me. My clothes were torn. Even if I wanted to make peace, how could I face people who did that in front of my church members?” he said.
Chakona also said he has been receiving threatening messages from Jean’s relatives and claimed they had even visited his father to pressure him over the matter. “They’re trying to destroy my name simply because I’m a pastor,” he said. “This is not just a personal issue anymore—it’s affecting my ministry and reputation.”
The incident has sparked considerable conversation within church and community circles in Harare, raising questions about accountability, morality, and personal behavior among religious leaders. Some churchgoers have expressed concern about how such controversies could damage the public image of the faith community, while others argue that spiritual leaders should be held to higher ethical standards.
Legal experts say the situation could potentially escalate into a legal battle. While the police have not issued a formal statement, the alleged assault on Apostle Chakona, along with the accusations leveled by both parties, could lead to civil or criminal proceedings, depending on how the matter unfolds.
So far, Grace Life Embassy has not issued an official statement regarding the incident or the future of Apostle Chakona’s leadership. Whether he will continue his duties at the pulpit remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, the story has gained momentum on social media, with members of the public divided. While some have expressed sympathy for the young woman, others have criticized both parties for what they view as a moral failure.
Calls for a full investigation and greater transparency within religious institutions continue to grow, as the community seeks clarity—and accountability—in a scandal that has shaken a prominent Harare church.
