A Lilongwe-based self-styled prophet Thokozani Kajawa is cursing his luck after he was given a good hiding by an angry man who suspected that the man of the collar was having a steamy affair with his wife.

The incident happened on Wednesday morning after the husband, identified as Clifford Sendedza, received a tip that the two were together at his house.

A source, who witnessed the whole incident, said when the husband entered the house he found the two in the bedroom; the libidinous man of God wearing only boxer shorts while his wife, Doreen Kalumikiza, was stripped down to underwear.

The source said a fight soon ensued between the two men but after some time the prophet came out worse as he was seen running out of the compound without a shirt on. He spotted a swollen and bloodied face.

"When the fight started, Doreen tried to call for help from neighbours but no one heeded her pleas. After some time the prophet found some space and ran out of the compound and tried to seek refugee at a church elder's house nearby where he was told off," said the source.

Sources said Clifford has been suspecting that the two were having an affair since last year but had no evidence with which to confront them. He was bidding his time waiting for the proverbial 40th day.

Kajawa and Doreen met during prayer sessions at the prophet's house.

"During week days they meet in the afternoon and they meet again on Saturdays and Sundays in the afternoon and evenings. However, what surprised many was that Doreen would always remain behind with the prophet after the rest of the congregation had left. Sometimes she would go with the prophet to Zomba and Karonga just for prayers.

"This trend continued until last December when she returned at 3am long after the prayers had concluded. When the husband asked her she told him that she was at a friend's place but when the husband called the friend to confirm, it transpired that she was not there. The husband beat her," said the source

After the incident, the prophet came to the wife's rescue and vouched for her innocence, saying that Doreen had demons that was why she remained behind most of the time so that they could have special prayers to exorcise them.

"When the prophet explained this and preached to the husband, he understood and apologised for beating his wife. But during last Christmas the woman just disappeared from the house. After some days, Clifford received reports that his wife was seen at the lake in Mangochi with the prophet.

"The husband tried to call her number but she could not be reached. Surprisingly when Clifford tried the prophet's number Doreen answered it but refused to disclose where she was saying only that she was having special prayers and would return soon before cutting the line. The number could not be reached again after that," said the source.

The source said as days went by, Clifford got tired living alone in their matrimonial home which belongs to the wife in Area 49. The husband left the house and went to live with his parents in Area 47. While in Area 47, Doreen returned to the house and continued seeing the prophet freely.

"The wife would even drive the prophet's car and sometimes she would drop the prophet in Area 12 and return with the car to Area 49. By this time the prophet had grown too comfortable and would sleep at the house. When the husband heard this he tasked his eldest son to report to him any day the prophet sleeps in the house which the boy did on Wednesday," said the source.

Attempts to talk to Doreen proved futile as each time we tried her number it was being answered by someone who claimed to be her sister who always said Doreen was not around but had left the phone behind. Although this reporter left his phone number for her to call back, there was no call from Doreen.

But Clifford, the husband, told The Weekend Times he needed time to think before granting an interview. He told this reporter to call again after 30 minutes but after that he did not pick up the phone again.