AFM leader taken to court

Investigations Editor

AFM in Zimbabwe president Reverend Ashper Madziyire has been accused of “personalising” the church and coercing congregants to make financial donations towards his up-keep.

In papers filed at the High Court on April 13, 2015, eight pastors, two elders and two deacons challenged Rev Madziyire’s re-election on January 31, 2015, saying he manipulated the church constitution to extend his 12-year stint at the helm.

AFM secretary-general Rev Amon Madawo last week said: “The matter is before the courts and we haven’t been served with the papers, so I can’t comment.”

The court papers read, in part, “1st Defendant (Rev Madziyire) has caused the church to violate its constitution so that he entrenches his maladministration of the church in that: (a) he has personalised church activities and projects are now being run by his family for financial benefits which are never subjected to transparent audit.

“Evidence will be led to show that the projects and activities are now personal projects of 1st Defendant and his family members for their financial benefit.

“(b) He has enormously derived financial benefits as appreciation and other donations that he receives or he requests to be given to him by virtue of him being president of the church and because of his desire of money he undermines the constitution of the church to enrich himself.”

The AFM church has been embroiled in a leadership wrangle following elections in January with some disgruntled church members alleging that due process was not followed.