Festus Hamalwa

ONGWEDIVA- Ruacana Elcin church pastor Hendrick Shuudeni is allegedly threatening to take his own life following an expose of his romantic relationship
with a 24-year-old man. It is alleged that Shuudeni also sent a text message to the victim, informing him that he is going to kill himself out of humiliation.

Ohangwena acting regional police commander, chief inspector Victor Halundilo told New Era that investigations are underway after a case of threatening was opened against the clergyman. What is new, however, is that police investigations conducted last week have lifted the lid on an entanglement, pointing to a romantic relationship the two men had been engaged in for some time now.

Speaking to this publication, the victim’s mother said the entire family is shocked by the revelations. “We are calling on the police to arrest Shuudeni. As a pastor, he committed a serious crime. How can an elderly man sleep with my son?” she asked. She added that her son is now mentally disturbed because he is traumatised.

Jeremiah Mushunina said he had sex on various occasions with Shuudeni, who promised to offer him a job in the Namibian Police Force due to the latter’s close proximity to police head honcho, Joseph Shikongo. He narrated that he went to Windhoek to look for a job last year after he dropped out of school in grade 9.

“When I was in Windhoek, I was homeless. I used to sleep at the Wanaheda police station,” he added. Mushunina said he met Shuudeni via Facebook before they exchanged numbers. “I then met with Shuudeni, and he demanded sex from me, saying he will offer me a job,” he revealed. Out of desperation and without knowing where the next meal would come from, Mushunina allegedly succumbed to the pastor’s sexual desires.

“He said it’s easy for him to arrange a job for me,” he said. It is alleged that they went with Shuudeni to his (Shuudeni) friend’s room at the Freedom Land location in Windhoek, where they had their coitus session. In addition, he was allegedly given cash of N$100 as a token of appreciation.

“I was hungry for a job. I had no choice because I wanted a job in government, as the pastor promised. So, I had to sacrifice myself for sex,” he stated.

Early this year, he went back to the north. Mushunina said Shuudeni was allegedly always looking for him in the north, demanding sex.

“He came to my village at Onhuno. We met and booked a guest house, where we had sex for the second time,” he continued sharing his  alleged ordeal. He then later questioned Shuudeni regarding the job he had promised to offer him.

However, Shuudeni assured him that he was still busy convincing Shikongo to finalise the deal.

“On that specific day, he sent me N$300 to calm me down. The following day, he sent N$700. He then told me to remain patient,” he added.

“He keeps sending me money since I was questioning about the job that he promised me. I told him I will share the story with the media, and also open a case against him.” He said Shuudeni immediately allegedly sent him N$2 000 to buy his silence. “He threatened to kill me. He said he will send a group of people to kill me, and kill himself also. Therefore, I decided to open a case last week against the threat because I am scared”, Mushunina explained. He added that he is going to sue Shuudeni for N$5 million because he was “used for nothing. He slept with me, my anus is always in pain, and he abused me sexually. Therefore, he must pay”.

Approached for comment, Shuudeni refuted the allegations of molesting Mushunina. Shuudeni (49), a married father of five, also refused to comment on whether he is gay or not.

He served as chairperson of the management committee in the Ruacana town council, and confirmed that he met Mushunina last year in his friend’s room in the Onhuno village. “We exchanged numbers, and then we went out for lunch,” he said. Shuudeni added that he then left Onhuno on that day because he had to drive a long distance. While on his way, he received messages from Mushunina, telling him about his life situation. “He told me he is suffering. I promised to assist him. I started buying him clothes and credit, but I couldn’t remember the total amount that I spent on him,” the pastor recalled.

He stressed that he was just assisting Mushunina because he likes helping people who are suffering in society. Shuudeni added that he deleted Mushunina’s contact number last year. Meanwhile, Mushunina said Shuudeni “isn’t telling the truth”.

He claimed that the last time he had a conversation with Shuudeni was last Sunday, “telling me that he was going to kill himself”. “So far, I have received a total of N$4 000 from Shuudeni. The police requested me to submit a bank statement and also to print a message from MTC as proof,” he continued.  Mushunina said he was allegedly convinced by prominent gay rights activist Wendelinus Ndiwakalunga Hamutenya-Jeremia to join his gay organisation.

Also speaking to New Era, prominent gay rights activist Hamutenya-Jeremia, the executive director of Rights for All Movement Trust, confirmed that Shuudeni and the so-called victim are both gay.

“They have been dating for too long. They are part of our gay organisation,” he stressed. Hamutenya-Jeremia said the man now being paraded as a victim decided to expose the man of cloth as he was not paid the N$10 000 he was promised.

“I am urging gay elders to stop falling in love with young boys because they are now targeted to be exposed [extortion],” he noted. He added that “young boys (gays) like money, and they are taking advantage of exposing the elders” in the tight-knit community.

- fhamalwa@nepc.com.na