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called the New Reformed Methodist Church. The five clergymen led by Reverend Phillip Mupindu reportedly submitted a letter at the church’s headquarters in Harare on Tuesday, informing officials that they were leaving the United Methodist Church to pursue their own ministry.
The United Methodist Church is one of the oldest churches in Zimbabwe.
In an interview yesterday, United Methodist Church administrative assistant to the Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, Reverend Dr Zebediah Marovangepo, confirmed that the five reverends had left the church.
“The five reverends led by Reverend Mupindu ceased to be members of the church with effect from August 30.
“They submitted in writing that they were leaving the church on their own accord because they had received a calling to start their own church,” Rev Dr Marevangepo said.
He, however, could not avail a copy of the letter with the signatures of the five reverends to The Herald, arguing he wanted to seek clearance with the authority first.
Rev Dr Marevangepo dismissed reports that Bishop Nhiwatiwa had stolen an election and emphasised that he was still at the helm of the United Methodist Church.
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“He (Bishop Nhiwatiwa) has and will remain the head of the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe as he was elected to this position through the African Central Conference, which includes Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe and other countries in East Africa.
“So there is no split because the reverends in their letter bearing their signatures stated that they were leaving the church on their own accord.
“They were not chased away. So there is no split,” Rev Dr Marevangepo said.
However, according to our sister paper, The Manica Post, Rev Mupindu confirmed in an interview that he had split from the United Methodist Church and it was a difficult decision to break away from the church he had served for a long time.
He reportedly said the breakaway had come amid wide consultations and irreconcilable differences between him and Bishop Nhiwatiwa.
Rev Mupindu indicated that he would launch the new church on September 18.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter