Borrowdale residents, church in dispute over clearance letter

Borrowdale residents’ war against Methodist Church continues after the residents raised another outcry following the use of a fraudulent document to defy a High Court order barring activities at the property.

The fight is emanating from the church’s operations at Stand Number 9 Doveton Road, alleging the use of a fraudulent document which was used at the High Court.

The dispute centres on the continued operation of the Methodist Church in Borrowdale Circuit at the residential address, despite a court ruling barring its use as a place of worship.

The residents have however, lodged a complaint with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), citing irregularities surrounding documentation purportedly authorising continued church operations at the stand.

The complaint mentions the Acting Director of Urban Planning for the City of Harare, Barbara Mugocha, alleging possible fraud in connection with a letter said to have granted clearance for the church to continue operating.

According to court records referenced in the complaint, under case number HCH2095/24, the High Court on June 25, 2024, interdicted the United Methodist Church from using 9 Doveton Road, Borrowdale, for church activities.

The court order directed the church to cease operations at the property pending compliance with City of Harare by-laws and planning procedures.

Residents argue that church activities resumed after a letter surfaced allegedly granting permission for continued use of the premises.

The letter reportedly bears Mugocha’s signature. However, she has denied that the signature is hers and described the document as fraudulent.

Senior council officials whose names also appear on the letter have also distanced themselves from it, raising further questions about its authenticity and origin.

Residents contend that the document has been used to justify defiance of the High Court ruling.

“If the court interdicted operations, then any document authorising continued use must be scrutinised thoroughly,” said one resident involved in the matter.

“We want to know who produced it and under whose authority.”

Borrowdale residents are being represented by Herbert Muromba of Kantor & Immerman as they pursue legal and regulatory remedies arising from the alleged non-compliance and disputed documentation.

Efforts to obtain comment from the United Methodist Church were unsuccessful.

While, calls to the church’s reverend went unanswered by the time of publication.