Blantyre Synod investigates Rev Billy Gama
Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbytery (CCAP) has launched a probe into a photograph depicting one of its senior clerics Reverend Billy Gama with an unidentified young woman on a beach.
The said photograph, which illustrates the Mulanje CCAP Mission administrator in a clumsy pose with the woman, has gone viral on social media attracting diverse comments from the public.
Blantyre Synod has since issued a statement registering its apologies for “any inconvenience and distress” the story has caused on its members and members of the public at large.
The synod says it has followed with keen interest and sadness the social media posts on the photograph depicting its minister with a half-dressed woman and is investigating the matter.
“The synod is independently investigating the authenticity of the allegations levelled against Reverend Dr. Billy Gama,” reads the statement in part.
Signed by the synod moderator Masautso Mbolembole and general secretary Alex Maulana, the statement says the synod will make its conclusions in line with its internal governance policy and procedure after the investigative process is over.
Both Mbolembole and Maulana were not available yesterday when contacted but Reverend Gama told The Nation in an interview he was not aware of the said investigations.
He said: “I have not heard anything [about his probe] I am only hearing it from people, not even from the synod, I don’t know anything.”
However, Gama, an accomplished theology scholar, said the synod had the right to investigate the matter because, just like him, they needed to know the source of the whole issue.
“For us to know the matter needs to be investigated… as for me I am not even bothered I am continuing with my work normally,” added Gama, who once served as presidential adviser on religious affairs during the Bingu wa Mutharika regime.
Reverend Gama, who claims the photograph was doctored, also holds a number of public positions such board chairperson of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.
