…factions
lock each other out of church premises
lock each other out of church premises
Elliot Jinjika
CHIVHU – The factional fights
bedeviling the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe escalated to extreme
levels at the Devotional Life Centre (DLC) last Sunday when rival factions
blocked each other from contacting church services.
bedeviling the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe escalated to extreme
levels at the Devotional Life Centre (DLC) last Sunday when rival factions
blocked each other from contacting church services.
At
national level, the factionalism pits two rival groups; the anti-reform faction
led by Reverend Cossam Chiyangwa and the reformists group led by Reverend Amon
Madawo.
national level, the factionalism pits two rival groups; the anti-reform faction
led by Reverend Cossam Chiyangwa and the reformists group led by Reverend Amon
Madawo.
Both
parties have so far failed to amicably co-exist despite the recent declaration
by the High Court awaiting a declaratory order by the Supreme Court.
parties have so far failed to amicably co-exist despite the recent declaration
by the High Court awaiting a declaratory order by the Supreme Court.
At
the Chivhu DLC, TellZim News saw scores of believers scattered outside the church
premises as the gate had been locked by the Madawo loyalists.
the Chivhu DLC, TellZim News saw scores of believers scattered outside the church
premises as the gate had been locked by the Madawo loyalists.
DLC
Chivhu acting vice chairperson Osbi Nyikadzino, who is aligned to the
anti-reform Chiyangwa faction, told TellZim News the other group breached an
earlier agreement to share the premises.
Chivhu acting vice chairperson Osbi Nyikadzino, who is aligned to the
anti-reform Chiyangwa faction, told TellZim News the other group breached an
earlier agreement to share the premises.
“The
Reformists did not give us an opportunity to use the premises and we persisted
in vain until we decided to write a letter to their pastor Rev Nzombe and the
non-executive chairman Elder Sithole but they both did not respond.
Reformists did not give us an opportunity to use the premises and we persisted
in vain until we decided to write a letter to their pastor Rev Nzombe and the
non-executive chairman Elder Sithole but they both did not respond.
“It
remained like that as we only used the venue on free days but they soon started
locking the church altogether. On Friday (September 20), we went for a service and
found the venue open but we were later shocked when the police came and told us
we had unlawfully entered into the premise and a report had already been made
by our reformist brothers,” said Nykadzino.
remained like that as we only used the venue on free days but they soon started
locking the church altogether. On Friday (September 20), we went for a service and
found the venue open but we were later shocked when the police came and told us
we had unlawfully entered into the premise and a report had already been made
by our reformist brothers,” said Nykadzino.
Sources
said the police, however, had dismissed allegations by the reformists that the
other group had broken into the church, stolen the PA System and some building
materials.
said the police, however, had dismissed allegations by the reformists that the
other group had broken into the church, stolen the PA System and some building
materials.
The
police, however, summoned representatives of both factions the following
morning but the reformists did not turn up.
police, however, summoned representatives of both factions the following
morning but the reformists did not turn up.
To
resolve the matter, the Chiyangwa-led faction agreed with the police to lock up
the premises until an agreement could be made. On Sunday, members of the Madawo
faction came to church as usual but only to find the premises locked.
resolve the matter, the Chiyangwa-led faction agreed with the police to lock up
the premises until an agreement could be made. On Sunday, members of the Madawo
faction came to church as usual but only to find the premises locked.
“We
were shocked to discover that the church was locked. Even now the church is
still locked. We feel this is ungodly evenly though we have not yet made an
agreement,” said an elder who is aligned to the Madawo group.
were shocked to discover that the church was locked. Even now the church is
still locked. We feel this is ungodly evenly though we have not yet made an
agreement,” said an elder who is aligned to the Madawo group.
Later
on, members of the Madawo faction made a police report claiming they had sole
rights to the premises but they were advised to co-exist with their rivals as
per the High Court ruling of September 16.
on, members of the Madawo faction made a police report claiming they had sole
rights to the premises but they were advised to co-exist with their rivals as
per the High Court ruling of September 16.
