Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
TWO white-garment prophets are embroiled in an ownership and control dispute over a Johane Masowe eChishanu prayer shrine in Honde Valley, with each claiming the right to occupy and lead prayer rituals at the site.
The matter, now before Chief Mutasa’s community court, arose after Langton Chikomwe yanked fellow prophet, Simba Saunyama, accusing him of attempting to seize control of the Chikomba shrine.
Chikomwe said the congregation had initially worshipped at Rusare in Chisuko, before relocating to a bigger Chikomba shine, after the original site could no longer accommodate the growing number of congregants.
He said Saunyama only joined after the congregation had already established itself at the shrine.
“We had already settled at the shrine before he became part of the congregation. We welcomed him as one of us, but over time he began acting as though he was the founder and owner of the place,” said Chikomwe, adding that relations deteriorated after Saunyama allegedly challenged the spiritual authority of other prophets and prophetesses.
He claimed Saunyama frequently declared that fellow church leaders lacked the Holy Spirit, insisting that he was the only one possessed genuine spiritual gifts.
“He started dismissing other prophets, claiming they were not anointed while portraying himself as the only true vessel of God. This created divisions within the church,” said Chikomwe.
The also court heard that visiting prophets, who attended gatherings, allegedly questioned Saunyama’s conduct, and prophesied that his desire for prominence was fuelling conflicts.
Chikomwe said the prophecies suggested Saunyama was driven by jealousy and struggled to accept the presence of other respected prophets.
“Instead of accepting correction, he took the matter to church elders, but the underlying problem remained unresolved,” said Chikomwe, adding that the dispute was later referred to Headman Chikomba, before reaching Chief Mutasa’s court.
At the centre of the dispute, Chikomwe said, was Saunyama’s alleged insistence that he founded the shrine in question, despite allegedly joining years after it had been established.
“The shrine was established in 2007, and everyone knows how it came about. He joined us later, yet he wants to rewrite history by claiming its ownership to the extent of driving the rest of us away,” said Chikomwe.
Responding to the allegations, Saunyama denied attempting to seize control, arguing that he did not understand why Chikomwe had brought the matter to the traditional court.
“I have no personal dispute with him. I was surprised to hear that I was being summoned to appear before this court because I have never declared war against anyone,” said Saunyama, linking the disagreement to a separate church dispute in which another prophet allegedly accused him of possessing two goblins.
Saunyama claimed that after the alleged prophecies, some members turned against him, and were trying to evict him from the shrine.
“This whole issue began after another prophet publicly claimed that I possessed goblins. Since then, some people have been trying to push me out using accusations that have nothing to do with the real problem,” he said, also rejecting claims that he joined after Chikomwe, yet he was among the first to worship at the site.
“I know when I arrived, and I know the role I played in establishing worship there. I cannot accept being labelled a newcomer when I was there from the beginning,” said Saunyama.
Village head Tayengwa Irvine Chisuko, who testified, confirmed he had allocated the land to the church only as a temporary worship site.
He explained the arrangement was meant to allow them somewhere to pray while they sought a permanent site through Mutasa Rural District Council.
Chief Mutasa said the dispute had shifted focus from the church’s spiritual mission to a contest over land and authority.
He observed that neither party owned the land because it had only been temporarily allocated pending the identification of a permanent worship site.
“The land does not belong to either of you. It was only made available temporarily, so there is no basis for anyone to claim exclusive ownership,” ruled Chief Mutasa, as he ordered both prophets to vacate the site as they neither had legal or customary rights to remain.
He urged them to devote their energy to preaching the gospel instead of leadership disputes that divides congregants.
“You are men who claim to serve God, yet you are spending your time fighting over land. Your calling is to guide people spiritually, not to compete for places of worship,” said Chief Mutasa, expressing disappointment that church leaders had resorted to traditional courts instead of resolving differences through dialogue and Christian principles.
“Religious leaders should be setting an example for the community. When you become consumed by conflicts over property and positions, you lose sight of your responsibility to unite people rather than divide them,” he said.
Quoting the scriptures, Chief Mutasa reminded the two that their mission was to win souls rather than compete over physical spaces.
“Scriptures teach us that you should be fishers of men, not of land. Concentrate on building people’s faith instead of fighting over land that belongs to neither of you,” he said.
ENDS
