BREAKING: Zimbabwean victims of notorious sexual abuser John Smyth have filed a legal claim against the Church of England, escalating the fallout from the scandal that forced Justin Welby to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury. This urgent legal action comes as six men, including Rocky Leanders, and the mother of a deceased victim, Guide Nyachuru, seek accountability for a decades-long cover-up that allowed Smyth to continue his abuse.
The claimants allege that senior church officials in the UK actively concealed Smyth’s horrific actions, enabling him to prey on young boys in Zimbabwe after moving there in the 1980s. These abuses are linked to the Church’s failure to report Smyth’s crimes when they first came to light, ultimately leading to his relocation and continued exploitation of vulnerable children.
Smyth, who died in 2018, is believed to have abused over 130 boys and young men in both the UK and Africa. Survivors describe harrowing experiences including forced nudity, beatings, and psychological torment during his Christian holiday camps. The recent letter of claim, filed by law firm Leigh Day, directly connects the Church’s negligence in the 1980s to the abuse that followed in Zimbabwe.
Leanders, who suffered severe physical and emotional trauma at Smyth’s camps, stated, “The memory of the shame and humiliation I suffered has never left me. I feel increasingly angry that the Church of England exported this criminal to Zimbabwe.” His testimony highlights the urgent need for justice and reform within the Church.
The backdrop of this legal claim is the Makin Review, which criticized Welby’s inadequate response to the allegations against Smyth, stating that he could have reported the abuser to authorities as early as 2013. The report noted that Smyth’s abuses could have been prevented if church leaders had acted decisively.
The death of 16-year-old Guide Nyachuru in December 1992, whose body was found in a pool at one of Smyth’s camps, remains a pivotal point of grief and unresolved questions for his family. His sister, Edith Nyachuru, expressed that “the Church of England had the power to stop Smyth before he ever came to Zimbabwe. Instead, they chose silence. We want truth, accountability, and change.”
This legal action is not just about seeking compensation; it aims to ensure that such failures are never repeated. The claimants are demanding an independent review into the Church’s handling of abuse allegations and a formal apology for the suffering endured by victims.
A spokesperson for the Church of England acknowledged the “horrendous abuse” committed by Smyth and expressed sorrow for the failures in the Church’s response. They stated they are committed to supporting investigations and implementing the recommendations from the Makin report, which called for greater accountability and transparency.
The current leadership transition within the Church could represent a critical moment for addressing these historical injustices. As this case unfolds, the survivors hope it will inspire others to come forward and seek justice.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the claimants push for accountability and reform within the Church of England.
