UPDATE: Zimbabwean victims of notorious abuser John Smyth are taking legal action against the Church of England following the resignation of Justin Welby over the scandal. The shocking claims highlight a decades-long cover-up that allowed Smyth to continue his horrific abuse of vulnerable boys.
Six men, including Rocky Leanders, launched their legal claim just days after Welby stepped down as Archbishop of Canterbury in December 2025. They allege that senior church officials orchestrated a cover-up that enabled Smyth to prey on boys in Zimbabwe after previously abusing over 100 victims in the UK.
The group is demanding accountability for the Church’s failure to report Smyth’s abuses from 1982 to 1984, which they argue directly led to his relocation to Zimbabwe, where he continued to exploit young boys. Among the claimants is the mother of Guide Nyachuru, a 16-year-old whose naked body was discovered in a swimming pool at Smyth’s camp in 1992.
Leanders, who suffered brutal treatment at Smyth’s Christian holiday camps, described the traumatic experiences he endured, including severe beatings and forced nudity. “The shame and humiliation I suffered to satisfy John Smyth has never left me,” he stated. He is now calling for justice and urging other survivors to speak out.
“The Church of England had the power to stop Smyth before he ever came to Zimbabwe. Instead, they chose silence,”
said Edith Nyachuru, Guide’s sister, expressing her family’s ongoing grief and the desperate need for accountability.
According to the law firm Leigh Day, which is representing the seven claimants, the Church’s negligence allowed Smyth to continue his abuses unimpeded. The investigation into Smyth’s actions revealed that while church officials acknowledged the crimes, they failed to report them to authorities, motivated instead by a desire to protect the Church’s reputation.
Despite an internal investigation recognizing the severity of Smyth’s actions, the police were never notified, leading Smyth to move to Zimbabwe, where he established the Zambesi Trust UK, enabling further abuse.
Smyth’s horrifying methods included forced nudity and physical punishments that left many boys traumatized. The Makin report, released in November 2024, concluded that Welby did not adequately respond to earlier reports of Smyth’s actions, which could have led to his prosecution.
Next steps: The claimants are seeking a formal apology, an independent review of the Church’s handling of abuse cases, and financial compensation for their suffering. “This case is about accountability,” stated solicitor Rebekah Read. “Our clients are seeking justice not only for themselves but to ensure that such failures are never repeated.”
In response to the allegations, a Church of England spokesperson expressed deep sorrow for the abuse carried out by Smyth and acknowledged the failures in their response. They emphasized ongoing efforts to support reviews and reforms within the Church to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This urgent legal action marks a significant moment for survivors of abuse within religious institutions, as the Church faces increasing scrutiny over its past failures. The claimants hope that the current leadership transition within the Church will lead to meaningful change and justice for all survivors.
