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Ivan Zhakata Court Reporter
The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Southlea Park Assembly is embroiled in a leadership dispute which has led the committee members to haul their congregants before the Harare Civil Court.
AFM, represented by its committee member Marshal Muyambo, hauled its 20 congregants on allegations of vandalising church property and shouting obscenities in the church in protest at the church leadership.
The church was seeking a peace order against the congregants.
The 20 congregants are Hilda Chishanu, Pauline Mwase, Susan Kaurayi, Jane Mbangwa, Barbra Machokoto, Tatenda Nezomba, Diana Nyamuronga, Evelyn Ojesi, Panashe Kutadzaushe, Lucy Mudzingwa, Norman Manyuchi, Joshua Jaya, Gabriel Duri, Juliet Mapokotera, Juliet Magura, Eshwet Mawari, Stanley Mutero, Moreblessing Manuwere, Vongai Machingura and Blessing Mpofu.
Muyambo yesterday told magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko that the 20 were causing pandemonium at the church and were disturbing church proceedings over claims that the leadership was fraudulently elected.
In his submissions on behalf of AFM, Muyambo said early this year the resident pastor Johannes Nehanda was transferred to AFM Southlea Park by the provincial committee of AFM in Zimbabwe Harare East province but appealed against the decision to the Apostolic Council.
He said this led to a referendum at the church pertaining to Nehanda’s transfer and 34 out of 55 members voted in favour of the transfer leading the 21 to rebel against the outcome.
Due to the large number of respondents, Mrs Mateko ordered them to engage a lawyer who can respond on their behalf.
She postponed the matter to April 8 for continuation.
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