Supreme Court to decide on Anglican row this month

 

• Church of the Province of Central Africa versus Bishop Nolbert Kunonga and 10 others (SC130/10).

• Diocese of Harare versus Church of Central Africa and another (SC17/08).

• Right Rev Dr Nolbert Kunonga and another versus Church of the Province of Central Africa and three others (SC72/08).

• Right Rev Dr Nolbert Kunonga and other versus Church of Central Africa and three others (SC83/08).

• The Diocesan Trustees for the Diocese of Harare versus The Church of the Province of Central Africa (SC134/10).

In all the cases, Archbishop Kunonga and those associated with him are represented by Chikumbirike and Partners, while Gill Godlonton and Gerrans are acting for Bishop Gandiya and the Church of the Province of Central Africa.
Deputy Chief Justice Luke Malaba is expected to preside over the cases in a panel that includes Justices Vernanda Ziyambi and Paddington Garwe.

Chief Justice Chidyausiku’s letter of September 29, 2011 stressed the need to end the property ownership wrangle once and for all.
“ . . . I issue the following instructions to the Deputy Registrar:
“All the matters relating to the above parties will be determined by the same court,” he said.
“All matters should either be consolidated or set down before the same court on the same date or one after the other.

“The Deputy Registrar is directed to set down all the matters on the next available date upon being advised of the readiness of the matters to be set down.”
The court is expected to determine the rightful owner of the property.

It is also expected to decide on the legal consequences of the withdrawal or ex-communication of Archbishop Kunonga and his supporters from the Church of the Province of Central Africa in line with property ownership.

Spokesperson for Archbishop Kunonga and his province, Reverend Admire Chisango welcomed the decision to group the cases.
“We really welcome the development. We hope the disputed will be quickly ended,” he said.

“Finality of the wrangle is long overdue considering that the problems started in August 2007.”