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Lackson Munkombwe Sunday News Reporter
A GRACE Awake Ministry church bishop allegedly cheated a car scheme with a membership of more than 400 pastors of more than $40 000 and 26 vehicles. Speaking during a press conference hosted by the Zimbabwe Pastors Fraternity and Empowerment car scheme (ZPFE), chairperson Bishop Munyaradzi Pundo alleged that Bishop Nicolas Mavondo duped the scheme of money and cars after he had claimed to be able to get vehicles into the country, duty free.
The association sought for partnership with Bishop Mavondo who claimed that he was able to get the cars into the country, duty free, but demanded that the scheme should pay at least $40 000 to cater for all the costs to facilitate the process.
“We trusted Bishop Mavondo and gave him all our reliance. He was going to help our scheme to get the cars into the country without losing a lot of money in the process. When we approached him, he told us that we should purchase the cars and take care of the shipping. He told us to talk to him once the vehicles were at the border so that he facilitates the duty free processes. Looking at the costs we were likely to incur, we agreed to work with him and then proceeded to contribute monies to buy the cars,” Bishop Pundo said.
He added that 26 cars were purchased from Japan and were shipped to Tanzania. Pastors from Bulawayo were then tasked to go and bring them.
“As the cars arrived at the Chirundu Border Post, we asked Mavondo to take care of duty clearances but he demanded that the cars should be left in Harare where he was to take care of everything. We agreed and expected to receive the vehicles to be distributed among pastors in Bulawayo. However, Bishop Mavondo kept the cars at his home and gave some to his friends,” Bishop Pundo said.
However, Bishop Mavondo denied all the claims, arguing that Bulawayo pastors joined his trust (Zimbabwe Ministers Empowerment Fraternal Trust) which had 500 members. He said they approached him seeking partnership since their scheme was not producing the desired results.
“It is true that we are in one organisation. However, Bulawayo pastors asked to join my organisation after they realised that their scheme was not developing. When we met, Bishop Pundo told us they had contributed $150 000 and had purchased 600 vehicles from Japan and 27 cars were on delivery. However, they failed to produce deposit slips during the meeting,” said Bishop Mavondo.
“I can safely say we are dealing with thieves.”
He said out of 27 cars that were shipped from Japan to Tanzania, only 26 vehicles arrived in the country.
“The Bulawayo pastors are seeking ways to tarnish my image,” said Bishop Mavondo. “These guys actually robbed congregants and vendors in Bulawayo and now because they are on the lookout, they now seek to include me in their scandals.”
ZPFE spokesperson Pastor Gordon Dube, however, said the cars which were purchased in April 2014 were kept at Mavondo’s house until May 2015 when ZPFE members complained.
“We then approached Mavondo and asked him to give us the vehicles,” said Pastor Dube.
“However, instead of giving us all the 26 cars, Mavondo decided to give us six which we refused and needed an explanation on why he was acting in such a manner. Instead Bishop Mavondo accused us of following Mujuru’s party (former vice president) and said that we were not going to be given the cars without paying duty fees.”
He said Bishop Mavondo then gave the cars to “his people”.
“We appeal to the President (Mugabe) to help us with the case because we feel as outcasts as people of Bulawayo. Mavondo is a thief and we need all our money and the cars back. Our organisation is genuine, we did not steal anyone’s money or property but we hoped to make lives for the pastors easy by getting those vehicles to use during ministries,” said Pastor Dube.
A total of 419 pastors from different churches had joined the car scheme which was meant to raise money to buy vehicles for every member who was officially registered.
Online Reporter