Beatific Gumbwanda
MUFARO-The battle for control of Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe seems to be far from over after the faction calling itself Apostolic Faith Mission of Zimbabwe (AFM) led by Reverend Cossam Chiangwa was recently recognized and admitted into the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) International as a member.
This follows a nasty tussle for leadership with the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe led by Reverend Amon Madawo, which won the battle through the courts.
The AFM International Council recently gave the Reverend Madawo-led faction a heavy blow after it admitted the faction led by his nemesis Reverend Chiangwa as a member in a meeting which was held in Gaborone, Botswana, where 29 Presidents from across continents deemed it necessary for AFM of Zimbabwe to become a member.
AFM International Council President Reverend George Mahlobo who attended the AFM of Zimbabwe’s Conference at Mufaro, Chatsworth in Gutu recently said the council concluded that AFM of Zimbabwe be admitted as a member in a meeting held in Gaborone, Botswana.
“I came to Mufaro on the invitation of the President of AFM of Zimbabwe, Baba naMai Chiangwa. The purpose was also for me to familiarize myself with the developments at the conference centre.
“This happens after the decision by the AFM International Council which was convened in Gaborone, Botswana where a decision was taken to give them membership. So the AFM of Zimbabwe is now a member church of the AFM International. This was also an opportunity for me to welcome them officially on behalf of AFM International,” said Reverend Mahlobo.
He also added that they are going to work tirelessly to mediate dialogue between the two churches as there can’t be two AFM churches in one country.
“We should continue to pursue mediation with a view that eventually there would be reconciliation. It is my prayer and hope that eventually we will be able to close this regrettable chapter where we ended up with two AFM churches in one country,” added Reverend Mahlobo.
In an interview, Reverend Chiangwa said their sole duty is to preach the word of God not deciding who should go where as they all are worshipping the same God.
“No one is hindering anyone from going wherever they want to go. We are preaching the word of Jesus not the church, so we are not barring anyone from going to the congregation of their choice.
“We are just worshipping the same God, not placing boundaries. If one goes to a place where there is no AFM of Zimbabwe or AFM in Zimbabwe, he/she can go to ZAOGA or Methodist because we are just worshipping the same God,” said Chiangwa.
He also said though they were not the court’s favourite for their stance towards abiding to the old constitution, God intervened and led them into being admitted as a member church by the AFM International Council.
“We were seen as traitors for upholding our old constitution as they ran to the courts, where they won but the AFM International Council, which is in 29 countries across five continents came to our rescue as they admitted us as a member church and even attended our conference,” added Chiangwa.
AFM which is one of the oldest Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe was ripped apart in 2018 with the formation of two different factions led by the former General Secretary Reverend Madawo and another one by the church’s former Vice President Chiangwa.
The tussle was mainly centred on the former President Dr Aspher Madziyire’s firm hold of office for 16 years while the rival group led by Reverend Chiangwa had been pushing for fresh elections to choose the new leadership which led the two factions spearheading divisions within the church as congregants took sides with their preferred leaders.
The tiff was settled by the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe which ruled out that Reverend Chiangwa’s faction should return the properties they had seized from Madawo’s camp.
“The application or a declaratory order be and is hereby granted. The Applicants and are hereby declared to be the duly and properly elected officials of the fifth applicant.
“The respondents are hereby barred from using the name of the fifth applicant in the conduct of their activities without the authorization of the applicants,” read part of the judgment.
The bitter wrangle to take charge of the church dragged on before the courts before the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Madawo-led faction.
