An unusual story is currently making the buzz in Côte d’Ivoire. A pastor was humiliated and beaten in the street for unpaid rent. He received a wave of support from others pastors and from public and political figures.
In the video that went viral, the pastor was first verbally confronted by a group of people led by the owner of the premises. The argument quickly escalated. The lady who demanded her due tore the pastor’s garment in one fell swoop. The latter, in anger, violently hit the woman before they came to blows. He was alone against a small group of people.
Several versions of the story are shared here and there on social networks.
According to the words of the wife of Pastor Guillaume Z.L. reported by the media “7/7 Gospel”, he rented a house to store the musical instruments of his church. The monthly rent is 5000 FCFA. Due to financial difficulties, the pastor has accumulated three months of rent arrears.
Last week, a group of people approached the pastor to demand their due. Since he did not have the full amount, Pastor William reportedly made them an offer. He offered to pay one-third and settle the rest at the end of April. This idea did not please the owners. Moreover, they claim that the pastor has a debt of more than 3 months.
Both parties went to the police station in Vavoua, Côte d’Ivoire. They were unable to reach an agreement. Finally, the police gave the owners an injunction to wait until the end of the month.
Since they didn’t win the case, they decided to go to the pastor’s place of worship on Easter Sunday.
And what follows is history.
Supports as comfort.
The video quickly went viral on social networks, especially on Facebook. Internet users, especially those from the Christian community, express their dissatisfaction with the method used by the owners of the premises. Many deplore the fact that a father, who is also a pastor, was humiliated for unpaid rent. They disapprove of the fact that the fight was filmed and above all posted on social networks as a public humiliation.
Very quickly, the unfortunate man received a wave of support from the Christian community and several personalities.
Reverend Wilfried Zahui and Apoutchou National came to his aid with 1,000,000 and 50,000 FCFA respectively. The mayor of Vavoua, Kalou Bonaventure did not remain indifferent. The latter offered Pastor Guillaume Z.L. a 600 m² plot of land for the construction of a house and a church.
Several other people and personalities converge in this same surge of solidarity.
Ardiès Sianou
