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Arron Nyamayaro
THE Methodist Church has refuted claims made by Makomborero Musiiwa that he was hired as a caretaker at their Budiriro 4 parish in 2008.
Musiiwa claimed that he had served the church for 15 years, without pay, and was now owed US$54 000.
He also claimed he was coerced into signing a document that changed his designation from caretaker, to an ordinary member, before he served with an eviction notice.
However, Bishop Lindsay Rukarwa of the Methodist Church Harare West District, says they never employed Musiiwa but simply provided him with a place to stay.
He said Musiiwa’s wife was their church member and she them in 2008 saying she had no place to stay.
He said the family was offered free accommodation, on the church premises.
Bishop Rukwara said the family was evicted after Musiiwa took legal action against the church.
Musiiwa and his family were evicted from the church premises on Monday.
“She (Musiiwa’s wife) approached church leaders sometime in 2008 saying that she had no place to stay with her family.
“She was offered accommodation at the church premises in a house built for the caretaker.
“Since the building was under construction, and is still under construction, we did not see the need to employ a caretaker.
“The family stayed there and was paid some tokens for securing building material.”
He added:
“Someone misled them to take legal action against us and that is when we folded our hands to allow the law to take its course.
“The law took its course and the Messenger of Court evicted them.
“Rose and her husband do not appear at our human resources department as employees.
“We went on to avail a document, which they signed, to show that they were at the premises for free accommodation only not as employees.
“Yes, they provided security and received tokens of appreciation.”
The family, which includes three children, were offered temporary shelter by a trade on Monday to store their property, which was soaked after rains hit that part of the city.
Online Reporter