Alva death boy’s dad linked to controversial new church

The death of a five-year-old boy was shrouded in mystery last night amid claims his dad was a member of a controversial church.

Paramedics discovered Scott Chiriseri, a pupil at Alva Primary School, at his home in Alva, Clackmannanshire, on Friday morning.

A 32-year-old woman, Zimbabwean Farai Chirasi, and believed to be Scott’s mum, has been detained in connection with the death and a report has been prepared for the Procurator Fiscal.

It is understood she is being held under the Mental Health Act.

Now it’s emerged his father, Tichakunda Chiriseri, also Zimbabwean, had joined a controversial religious organisation run by a self-styled prophet shortly before the couple split a few months ago.

The Stirling-based Agape For All Nations Ministries Internationals church is headed by former academic Dr Joseph Masocha, and describes itself as a “fast-growing church established in 2007”.

But it’s been plagued by controversy. Zimbabwean Masocha, a former uni lecturer, claims he is a prophet “annointed by God”.

He infuriated neighbours when he began holding religious meetings at his Bridge of Allan home in 2006.

Residents demanded the council hit him with an ASBO amid claims he was baptising people in his back garden.

He was also accused of carrying out an exorcism on a neighbour’s lawn.

Last night a spokesman for the church confirmed Tichakunda was a member and said they were offering him counselling after his son was found dead. He said: “It’s obviously a very difficult time. He had been a member of the church for months and we understand he wasn’t at the house because he had separated from his wife.

“I believe they split up a few months ago and she is not a member of our church.”

Last night, tributes were left at the Alva house where Scott was found.

Police were called to the property on Friday morning after concerns were raised about his welfare. The schoolboy was pronounced dead at the scene in Carnaughton Place by the Scottish Ambulance Service. It has been reported paramedics had to be given counselling.

Floral tributes and cuddly toys last night continued to amass outside the terraced house.

One card simply said: “Dear God, why???”. Another note attached to a bunch of flowers read: “Sleep well little one.”

Local councillor Archie Drummond said the death had shaken the local community. He said: “This has come as a real shock to this tight-knit town.”

Last night, a number of streets were cordoned off as inquiries into the full circumstances of the incident continue. A team of forensic officers were working at the house, with a large police truck parked in the street.

Local police commander Chief Inspector Stephen Sneddon, of Police Scotland, said: “This is a quiet area and I would emphasise that this is a very unusual incident.”

A spokesman for the Crown Office and Prosecutor Fiscal Service said: “A 32-year-old woman has been detained in relation to the death but she has not been charged.”

The death is not being linked to the discovery of a woman’s body just hours earlier in nearby Falkirk. A man has been arrested in connection with that incident.

Chief Superintendent Davie Flynn, local police commander for the Forth Valley, said: “I would like to stress that in both cases individuals have been detained by police and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with them.”