A faction within the African Apostolic Church, founded by Archbishop Paul Mwazha, sought police protection for its upcoming gathering to be graced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, reported <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/mwazha-faction-leaders-seek-police-protection-from-rivals-ahead-of-conference/">ZimLive</a>.
This faction is led by Reverend Nyika Murisi and is scheduled to convene at the Ndarikure Shrine in Midlands Province from August 30 to September 1, 2024.
The faction has accused a rival group led by Enerst Mhambare and Kurauone Sibanda of planning to disrupt the event by destroying Blair toilets at the Ndarikure Shrine.
Through their lawyers Rubaya and Chatambudza, Murisi’s faction has written a letter dated August 23, 2024, to the Commissioner General of Police Godwin Matanga, copied to the President, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, and the Home Affairs and Justice Ministers.
In the letter, they state that they have been given the green light by the church’s supreme leader Archbishop Paul Mwazha to convene the conference, which the rival faction leaders allegedly want to hinder. The letter reads:
<blockquote>
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.
</blockquote>
In the letter, the faction leaders, through their lawyers, detailed alleged violent incidents that they claim occurred at the Ndarikure Shrine on August 19. Reads the letter:
<blockquote>
Kurauone Sibanda and his co-accused person connived to unlawfully and intentionally destroy the numerous Blair toilets which belong to all the members of the Vapostori VeAfrica Church.
They proceeded to Ndarikure Shrine with a JCB machine as well as a grader wherein they proceeded to razor 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.
</blockquote>
The faction, through their lawyers, has further alleged that their rivals support those opposed to President Mnangagwa’s rule, and therefore want to disrupt the upcoming gathering at the Ndarikure Shrine. Wrote the lawyers:
<blockquote>
Our clients suspect that Ernest Mhambare, Kurauone Sibanda, and his cabal are sympathetic to other political actors who are opposed to the Presidency, of His Excellency Cde. Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa since he is the one earmarked to attend as the Guest of Honour.
</blockquote>
In the letter, the faction requested urgent police intervention and deployment at the Ndarikure Shrine to allow them to continue with preparations for the upcoming gathering.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Leaders from one group in the African Apostolic Church want police protection for their event. They think a rival group might try to disturb it. The event is happening from August 30 to September 1, 2024, with President Mnangagwa attending. They wrote a letter to the police chief asking for help. The letter said the rivals destroyed church toilets and blocked roads. The leaders believe the rivals don't like the president and want to stop the event. They want the police to come and help keep the peace at the gathering.

Paul Mwazha Church Faction Leaders Seek Police Protection From Rivals

A vehicle belonging to a leader of the African Apostolic Church led by <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Paul_Mwazha">Paul Mwazha</a> was burnt to ashes in Mutare the Sunday before last Sunday.
The <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/mwazha-succession-dispute-turns-nasty/">Manica Post</a> reported that the African Apostolic Church now has three factions, with each one of them led by Mwazha’s sons.
Bishop Tekeshe’s Isuzu truck was burnt to ashes at his Fern Valley home, with insiders claiming that it was due to the endless disputes over control of the church.
Tekeshe is reportedly aligned to Bishop Alfred Kushamisa, the Archbishop’s second-born son.
When contacted for comment by The Manica Post, one of the other faction’s leaders, Bishop Moses Mwagura said:
<blockquote>
This issue is very clear and you should not have challenges in reporting it. It all started with some people trying to wrestle control of the church from Mutumwa Mwazha.
They were later defeated at the Supreme Court after it was ruled that their actions were unconstitutional.
Now, as time is progressing, we are now witnessing a division between Ngoni, Archbishop Paul Mwazha’s firstborn son and his second-born son, Alfred Kushamisa, known as AK.
They are now up against each other, leading to the nasty destruction of property. This has nothing to do with our church.
We are actually concerned that this is happening to people we used to congregate with.
This is not what we would have expected from people who claim to be Christians and who follow the peaceful word of our Lord.
</blockquote>
The three factions are allegedly led by Bishop Alfred Kushamisa Mwazha, Bishop Tawanda Mwazha and Bishop Ngoni Mwazha, respectively.
The divisions within the African Apostolic Church have resulted in the formations appointing their own pastors and leaders while conducting services at different places of worship.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Paul Mwazha Church Bishop's Vehicle Burnt To Ashes

Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga has commended the African Apostolic Church (AAC) for raising disciplined children.
Chiwenga was speaking to AAC members at the Guvambwa shrine, Sadza growth point, in Wedza on Saturday.
The church, which was founded by Paul Mwazha, does not allow its members to consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes.
Chiwenga said he was happy with the role the African Apostolic Church was playing in nurturing disciplined children. He said:
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I am here representing His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, and also on my own behalf as his deputy as per your invitation.
I am happy with the role the African Apostolic Church is playing in nurturing disciplined children.
It is pleasing to see a huge crowd like this, of people who were raised and taught not to drink, smoke or take anything that intoxicates them.
Drugs have destroyed many families. They are of no benefit, they just harm and keep you away from the Lord.
If we do not nurture disciplined children, then the future of the church and indeed the country as a whole is doomed.
</blockquote>
He also lauded the church for its role in emancipating women and uplifting their lives.
Unlike some apostolic sects which suppress women’s right to education and turn a blind eye to child marriages, AAC values women’s education. Said Chiwenga:
<blockquote>
I am happy to see that you, as a church, are promoting the rights of women by sending them to school to get their education so that they will have a role to play in the future of our country.
</blockquote>
Bishop Israel Mwazha, who stood in for his father Archbishop Paul Mwazha, assured Chiwenga that the church will continue supporting ZANU PF without wavering. He said:
<blockquote>
President Mnangagwa is leading the country with wisdom. We are seeing a lot of development.
If you look at infrastructure projects in the country, investors are coming to Zimbabwe, growing economic spaces.
We pray for peace in the upcoming elections, and we will not vacillate in our support for ZANU PF.
</blockquote>
The African Apostolic Church was founded by Ernest Paul Mamvura Mwazha (born on 25 October 1918).
Mwazha started Roman Catholic Catechism classes at the age of 11 and later joined the Methodist Church and became a teacher with them.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Paul Mwazha Church Pledges Unwavering Support To ZANU PF

A Mutare-based 65-year-old African Apostolic Church bishop, Charles Tekeshe, allegedly broke into a congregant’s house and stole US$10 800 that was stashed under a bed.
Tekeshe recently appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ivy Musavengana charged with unlawful entry into premises as defined in Section 131(2) (e) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
Tekeshe was granted bail and remanded to 27 March for trial.
Prosecuting, Sandra Mlambo said Tekeshe broke into Hedsen Mabhutso’s house through the window and stole US$10 800. Said Mlambo:
<blockquote>
On May 18, 2021, and in Dangamvura, Mutare, Mr. Mabhutso locked his children in the house and left for his workplace in the company of his wife.
He secured all his property, including the US$10 800 which was stashed under the bed in his bedroom.
At around 10 AM, Tekeshe was seen arriving at Mr Mabhutso’s house by the complainant’s eight-year-old son. Tekeshe was holding a blue box in his hands.
Tekeshe inquired whether the complainant and his wife were present through the window and was told they were away.
</blockquote>
Tekeshe allegedly ordered the minor child to open the kitchen window.
The child complied and Tekeshe went into the house through the window. Said Mlambo:
<blockquote>
While inside the house, Tekeshe proceeded to Mr Mabhutso’s bedroom where he stole US$10 800 before going out through the same window.
</blockquote>
Tekeshe allegedly ordered the minor to wipe off his feet and fingerprints using a cloth before he left the house.
Mabhutso returned home on the same day around 7 PM and his son narrated what had happened during his absence.
He went to his bedroom and discovered that his money had been stolen.
Mabhutso reported the matter at ZRP Dangamvura and Tekeshe was arrested. Nothing was recovered.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bishop Breaks Into Congregant's House, Steals US$10 800

Some members of the African Apostolic Church attending the church’s annual pilgrimage have spoken about the untold frustration they endured on the way to Mapembe Shrine in Odzi near Mutare.
This happened as the battle to control the Archbishop Paul Mwazha-led church rages on.
The annual pilgrimage, which was held simultaneously with Mwazha’s 103rd birthday celebrations, drew more than 10 000 congregants.
The three-day event started last week on Thursday and ended on Saturday.
Motorists driving to Mapembe Shrine were selectively stopped, thoroughly searched, and others spent the night at traffic check points after a fallout with law enforcement agents.
Congregants who attended the pilgrimage told The Manica Post that they went through countless incidences of interrogations, accusations and frustration, especially at police roadblocks.
Joshua Daka, who drove all the way from Karoi for the Mapembe Shrine pilgrimage, said:
<blockquote>
We endured a difficult time on our way. It was really sad to see some traffic officers frustrating us as if they were clearly under instructions to do so.
As we drove from Karoi, our worst experience was in Macheke where we were harassed at two roadblocks.
</blockquote>
Chengetai Sithole, who drove with his family from Mt Darwin, said:
<blockquote>
I also encountered problems in Macheke. We literally slept at the Macheke roadblock. It was a nasty experience that we least expected.
What surprised us was that the officers were accusing us of being ‘tsindondi’ and telling us not to trouble ourselves since we do not have many people behind us.
They actually spoke with authority on internal matters of our church.
</blockquote>
“Tsindondi” is a term used in the African Apostolic Church to refer to those who subscribe to prayers in the mountains.
Contacted for comment, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said:
<blockquote>
It is difficult to comment on that because it depends on whether they (congregants) lodged formal complaints, when and at which police station.
That is the only way we can ascertain the genuineness of their plight and take appropriate action.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, one of Mwazha’s sons, Alfred Kushamisa declared himself the archbishop and successor to his aged father.
However, in October the Supreme Court upheld part of a High Court ruling on the succession dispute in the AAC nullifying the appointment of Kushamisa as successor to his father.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/mwazha-church-feud-gets-dirty/">The Manica Post</a></h4>

Mwazha Church Congregants Express Frustration

The Supreme Court has upheld, in part, High Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi’s ruling, which nullified the self-appointment of Bishop Alfred Mwazha to lead the African Apostolic Church founded by his father Paul Mwazha due to old age.
In delivering their ruling, Supreme Court judges Justices Susan Mavangira, Tendai Uchena and George Chiweshe said that the High Court’s decision be upheld as the note supposedly written by Paul Mwazha did not specifically name Alfred as the successor. Justice Mavangira said:
<blockquote>
With regards to the second ground of appeal the court a quo ruled, correctly in our view, which the handwritten note presented to it in order to prove that the Archbishop had chosen the first appellant as his successor was silent on the issue.
The learned judge a quo analysed the text of this note and came to the inevitable conclusion that there was nothing in it which spoke to the nomination of anyone (let alone the first appellant) as the successor to the Archbishop.
The learned Judge a quo cannot be faulted in that regard. For that reason, the second ground of appeal stands to be dismissed.
</blockquote>
Justice Mavangira further ruled that the church’s constitution stipulates that the Council of Bishops cannot choose a successor to the Archbishop unless he is absent “by apology, illness or death.” She said:
<blockquote>
I agree with the appellants that clause 9.2.2 of the constitution can only be invoked in the event that the Archbishop is absent “by apology, illness or death.”
It is only then that the Council of Bishops (the Priesthood Council), acting in terms of clause 9.2.2, can sit and deliberate on the question of succession.
Without therefore having made a finding as to the incapacity of the Archbishop the learned Judge erred and misdirected himself in granting an order for the invocation of clause 9.2.2. For that reason, this is a case in which the appeal succeeds in part.
</blockquote>
According to the court papers, Alfred had publicly announced himself as the successor to Archbishop Paul Mwazha and purported to have taken over the reins of the Church, jettisoning his aged and ailing father.
Ernest Mhambare, who is a Reverent in the church, had approached High Court last year seeking to nullify the appointment, arguing that Alfred had attempted to usurp the position.
The application was granted by Justice Chitapi who ruled that Paul Mwazha would retain his position as the Archbishop, prompting Alfred and his brothers to file an appeal at the Supreme Court.
<h4>More: <a href="https://iharare.com/supreme-court-sustains-paul-mwazhas-control-of-vapostori-veafrica/">iHarare</a></h4>

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