By Religion Reporter-The founder and leader of River of Life International Church, Prophet Bothwell Phiri, 57, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after a shocking incident at his Kumalo suburb residence.

In the early hours of Monday, Phiri allegedly shot his son, Jordan Phiri, 29, mistaking him for an intruder.

The incident unfolded when Jordan, returning late from the family’s plot in Esigodini, found the house locked and attempted to enter through a window. 

Startled by the noise, Prophet Phiri, armed with his legally registered firearm, investigated and, in a tragic turn of events, shot his son in the groin.

Bulawayo provincial acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred at approximately 1:20 a.m.

“He opened a window, and as he attempted to gain entry, he was shot in the groin by the accused person. Upon realizing it was his son, the accused immediately rushed him to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for treatment,” Msebele said.

She added that Jordan is in stable condition and that Phiri told police he genuinely believed he was confronting an intruder.

“The firearm was examined, and police confirmed that the accused is a licensed gun holder,” Msebele said, noting that investigations are ongoing and the case will proceed to court.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Prophet Phiri were unsuccessful, as he was reportedly in an extended meeting.