The tragic story of Guide Nyachuru, a 16-year-old boy who drowned at a Christian holiday camp in Zimbabwe, highlights the systemic failures of the Church of England in addressing child abuse by John Smyth, a British barrister known for traumatizing young boys.
In 1982, a report by Anglican clergyman Mark Ruston revealed shocking details of Smyth’s abuse, including severe canings of boys that left them bleeding. Despite these revelations, the report was not widely circulated. In 1984, Smyth moved to Zimbabwe and continued his abusive practices through Zambesi Ministries.
Guide Nyachuru was sent to one of Smyth’s camps as an early Christmas present. Within 12 hours of arriving, he drowned while swimming naked – a camp tradition. His sister, Edith Nyachuru, blames the Church of England for not stopping Smyth earlier, believing her brother would still be alive if they had intervened.
Smyth’s camps were characterized by disturbing behavior, including:
– Encouraging nudity among boys
– Showering naked with campers
– Prohibiting boys from wearing underwear
– Giving talks on masturbation
– Beating boys with a table tennis bat (dubbed “TTB”)
Zimbabwean lawyer David Coltart investigated Smyth after a parent complained about her son’s severe bruises. His investigation revealed a pattern of calculated grooming and violence. Coltart’s 21-page report, circulated to school leaders and church officials, effectively stopped Smyth’s operations in Zimbabwe.
However, Smyth used his legal skills and connections to avoid prosecution. The case against him for culpable homicide was essentially shelved in 1997 due to missing documents and legal maneuvering. He was never held accountable for Guide’s death or the systematic abuse.
The Church of England was slow to act. Smyth was only excommunicated in 2017, just a year before his death. Archbishop Justin Welby did not apologize to the Nyachuru family until 2021, which Edith described as “too little, too late.”
The recent Makin report estimates that around 85 boys and young men were physically abused by Smyth in African countries, including Zimbabwe. Coltart urges the church to identify and support these potential victims, many of whom may be suffering from PTSD.
Jason Leanders, another camp attendee, noted that many survivors are still too traumatized to discuss their experiences. He argues that Smyth’s protection in both England and Zimbabwe robbed victims of the chance to confront him as adults.
Edith Nyachuru now calls for senior church leaders who failed to intervene to resign, emphasizing the importance of reporting potential abuse to authorities.
The story serves as a stark reminder of institutional failures to protect children and the long-lasting trauma caused by systematic abuse.
