Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
CHAOS reigned supreme at the Methodist Revival Church (MRC) in Rusape last Sunday when two rival factions attempted to hold simultaneous worship services in the same building.
Police were forced to intervene to prevent the escalating tensions from spilling into physical confrontation.
One faction remains loyal to MRC founder, Bishop Phillip Mupindu, while the other is a breakaway group led by Bishop Philemon Munyaradzi Chamburuka. The schism dates back several years, following Bishop Mupindu’s stroke. Though he has since recovered and resumed his ministerial duties, divisions within the church have deepened.
Bishop Mupindu himself attended last Sunday’s service, maintaining composure as the rival camps clashed.
The dispute has long since moved into the courts, where the Bishop Chamburuka-led faction was ordered to surrender all church assets, equipment, and documentation to the Bishop Mupindu-led group.
This includes the Rusape church building, which the Bishop Chamburuka faction has continued to occupy despite a High Court ruling by Justice Rodgers Foroma Manyangadze on October 23, 2024.
The ruling also barred the faction from using the MRC name, symbols, and insignia, while nullifying Bishop Chamburuka’s purported inauguration as MRC bishop.
In November 2024, Chamburuka sought rescission of the judgment under Case Number HCH 5373/24, but the application was struck off the roll by the Registrar of the High Court.
Despite the standing order (Case Number R-HCH 3300/23), the Bishop Chamburuka faction continues to use the MRC identity and has seized control of several church buildings, preventing congregants loyal to Bishop Mupindu from worshipping.
MRC argues these actions amount to contempt of court but says enforcement has been hampered by resistance and alleged lack of police support.
That two factions could conduct rival services under one roof underscores not only an administrative fracture but also a spiritual crisis within the church community.
The services were abruptly halted after Inspector Murairwa and Sergeant Major Ngangu engaged leaders from both sides.
Bishop Chamburuka’s district overseer, Reverend Reginald Kuziwa Mujeni, did not attend the service, which was led by Pastor Innocent Makina, Messrs Basil Mugweni, Never Mukanda, Itai Chiwara and Mrs Anna Mugweni.
The police officers, stationed at Rusape Urban, were called by Messrs Mugweni and Chiwara despite their actions allegedly constituting contempt of court.
“I think we have worshipped enough, and we cannot continue like this. We have spoken to the leaders from both sides and agreed that this cannot continue, because it might end in chaos.
‘‘We know there was a split, and legal processes are under way, but a church should not operate this way. We expect peace and co-existence in the church, not rivalry and competition as you are doing. You may leave now, while we continue engaging your leadership to determine who has the legitimacy to conduct services at this church,” said Sergeant Major Ngangu.
MRC Board of Trustees coordinator, Mr Itai Zvenyika Munyoro, said despite the frustrations, MRC under Bishop Mupindu is pursuing the legal route to reclaim its name, symbol and assets from a breakaway faction.
“Following a favourable High Court ruling affirming Bishop Mupindu’s authority and legitimacy, MRC has moved to enforce the judgment through the courts, including engaging the Sheriff’s office to execute asset recovery and initiating contempt of court proceedings against individuals refusing to comply. The church’s legal representatives have also indicated that further civil and, if necessary, criminal action will be pursued to ensure full restitution and to prevent ongoing unauthorised use of the church’s identity and property. These steps are essential, not only to uphold the rule of law, but also to protect members from confusion and safeguard the church’s institutional integrity. You cannot have people continuing to disrupt MRC services while pledging allegiance to Bishop Chamburuka, who has been barred from interfering with our operations, assets and name. We have all the documents for the police to enforce the law and protect us from these people, but they are clearly biased. Our team in Rusape took all the documents (court order, the letter which shows the application for recession of judgment was struck off and the return of service) to show that we are the bona-fide MRC, but the police officers are now demanding resolution letters from the Bishop to show that they are allowed to represent the church,” said Mr Munyoro.
Mr Mukanda acknowledged the deepening rift, but refused to comment in detail citing protocol.
“Yes, this is the church I fellowship under, and this is what things are. Unfortunately, I cannot comment about the divisions because protocol does not allow me to. There are people responsible for that,” said Mr Mukanda.
