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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
THE leader of the Apostolic Faith Mission of Africa (AFMA), Reverend Tony Tshuma, has died. He was 91. Zanu-PF MP for Pelandaba-Mpopoma Cde Joseph Tshuma, who is the family spokesperson and son to the late bishop, said his father succumbed to heart failure yesterday morning at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo.
Cde Tshuma described his father as a humble man who contributed immensely to the country’s struggle for independence through offering logistics to Zipra freedom fighters.
“Rev Tshuma was a very humble man who was a great pillar of strength to us as a family and all those who had an opportunity to interact with him during his lifetime.
‘‘He also participated in the struggle for independence together with the late Reverend Morgan Sengwayo as they would help former Zipra combatants who included the likes of the late Vice-Presidents Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and John Landa Nkomo with transport among other logistics,” he said.
“In 1975 when he was deployed by the church to minister in Hwange as resident pastor, he played a leading role as a conveyer of messages from freedom fighters in Zambia as well as arranging food and transport for them.”
Cde Tshuma said his father was a great spiritual father to many souls both within and outside the country.
“As we mourn my father’s death, we also want to celebrate his life which was an inspiration to us.
‘‘He was a great grandfather, grandfather and father to a lot of people and as a family and church it’s indeed a great loss to us and we will forever cherish his great legacy,” he said.
Born on December 26, 1925, in Gwanda, Rev Tshuma attended Zhugwe Primary and Mtshabezi Mission schools in the district between the late 1930s and 1940s.
In 2008, Rev Tshuma was appointed AFMA church president and overseer taking over from Rev Philemon Sibanda who died during the same year in a horrific car accident.
The church, which is headquartered in Lobengula Extension, has since 2013 been rocked by divisions.
Rival camps in the acrimonious leadership wrangle of AFMA pitting the late Rev Tshuma and Rev Clement Nyathi have for the past three years been locked in a protracted legal battle over the control of the church property and the matter is still before the courts.
Rev Tshuma is survived by wife Selinah, seven children, four boys and three daughters and several great grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered at Number 414 McCullach Road, Matsheumhlope suburb in Bulawayo.
He will be buried on Saturday at Lady Stanley Cemetery in the city.
derick.khumalo