Factional Fights Escalate in Paul Mwazha's Church
LEADERS of the Africa Apostolic Church (Mwazha) are seeking police protection during their annual meeting as factional fights escalate in the church.
A faction, led by Reverend Nyika Murisi, alleges that Enerst Mhambare and Kurauone Sibanda have already disturbed preparatory work by destroying toilets at the popular Ndarikure Shrine.
It is also alleged that the two fired shots at some congregants who tried to reason with them on August 19 while at the shrine.
To this end, Murisi has written to Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga notifying him of the situation and also seeking protection.
The letter written by his lawyers, Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners was also copied to the President, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, Home Affairs and Justice ministers.
Murisi said they were given permission by the church’s supreme leader Archbishop Paul Mwazha to convene the conference on August 30.
“Our clients are of the firm view that Ernest Mhambare, Kurauone Sibanda and his cabal want to cause mayhem and pandemonium and, in the process, disturb the prevailing peace in Zimbabwe,” reads the letter.
Factional Fights Escalate in Paul Mwazha's Church
Matanga was told that on August 19 Sibanda and his co-accused connived to destroy the numerous Blair toilets at the shrine.
“They proceeded to Ndarikure Shrine with a JCB machine as well as a grader wherein they proceeded to raze down the church toilets which were functioning well in a bid to prevent the church gathering that is scheduled for the 30th of August 2024 to the 1st of September 2024.
“He has allegedly proceeded to dig trenches across the roads leading to the shrine in a bid to block our clients from accessing the shrine.”
Kurauone allegedly discharged a firearm to disperse some of our clients who had proceeded to the shrine to commence preparatory works.
“He proceeded to point the firearm to other church members who tried to negotiate with him,” the letter reads.
Murisi said the fight was political considering that Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour at the gathering.
Mwazha Church in Disarray as 3rd Faction Emerges
The lawyers said given this scenario it is critical for the police to provide security services during the conference.
