adminFreedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
A group of rowdy MDC-T youths reportedly disrupted a church service in Mkoba 10, Gweru, on Sunday, destroying the church’s perimeter fence arguing the church was built on an access road. Worshippers from Light House Fellowship had to run for dear life and seek cover at Mkoba One Police Station after the youths who were reportedly acting on an instruction from the local councillor and Gweru Mayor Charles Chikozho, turned violent and threatened to beat up everyone.
The Light House Fellowship Church leadership later filed a malicious damage to property charge against the rowdy youths at Mkoba One Police Station.
According to witnesses, the MDC-T youths who were in party regalia and were travelling in a Mazda twin-cab, believed to belong to Clr Chikozho, besieged the church on Sunday during a prayer session when they started pulling down the church fence while ordering everyone to vacate.
“Worshippers were in the middle of a church service when the youths who were in their party regalia arrived in a Mazda Twin cab truck, registration number ABI 4908, and started pulling down the church fence.
“They argued that the church was blocking an access road to a nearby bus stop and that the church should not be located at the site,” said one of the church leaders who requested anonymity.
He said during the scuffle, Clr Chikozho sent a text message to one of the church leaders siding with the violent youths that the church should vacate the site.
“Ironically we have an agreement of sale document for the church stand which bears Mayor Chikozho’s signature.
‘‘That same mayor is the one who is now sending party youths to disrupt a church service arguing that there should not be a church at the site,” said the senior church member.
The witnesses said Clr Chikozho, who is eyeing to retain the local ward, was now changing goal posts despite the fact that the church has a legal document from the council.
Contacted for comment, Clr Chikozho confirmed the dispute between the church and the local community over the church site.
He also acknowledged his signature on the agreement of sale document of the disputed church stand.
“When the church started construction and erecting a fence, the local people wrote a petition to council arguing that the church was blocking an access road that they have been using for over 40 years.
‘‘So as council we cannot ignore that petition. It’s provided for in the urban councils act the residents has a right to objection.
“The council has instructed the church to stop erecting a fence and developing pending investigations because we feel there might be some irregularities over how the stand was allocated.
“The office of the town clerk has even written letter instructing an investigation into the allocation of the stand, and if the council finds out it’s their fault then the church will be compensated. It’s as simple as that,” said Clr Chikozho.
He denied allegations that he instructed party youths to disrupt the church service.
He said he respects church gatherings and regrets the unfortunate incident.
“As the local councillor, I wanted to go there to address the matter between the church leaders and the local community when I was briefed about the goings on, but unfortunately I was also attending a church service where we were ordaining our bishop.
“We do not condone violence as we feel the issue could be addressed amicably.
“I understand the church leaders have since approached the chamber secretary’s office and the dispute is being resolved,” he said.
Online Reporter