Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
WORSHIPPERS in Kadoma witnessed something straight out of a Nollywood church drama when members of the Mugodhi Apostolic Faith church turned a holy sanctuary into a construction site turf war.
Instead of hymns and hallelujahs, bricks were flying.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, four men who clearly misunderstood the commandment “Love thy neighbour” decided to demolish a rival faction’s church building at Pondombiri Business Centre in Manima. Not only did they tear it down, they carried the bricks away like supermarket specials and used them to continue building their own structure. Same yard. Same church. Same God. Different vibe.
The heavenly brick hustlers were named as church elders and grown men who really should know better: Stephen Mugwagwa (66), Sebastine Marimo (71), Trymore Nango (37) and Shephard Hadson (36). One can only imagine the confusion among church members who came the following Sunday and found half the building missing like Jesus had raptured it overnight.
The Kadoma Magistrates’ Court was not amused.
The court convicted the quartet for malicious damage to property and handed them 12 months behind bars. But in a mercy more divine than their behaviour, the sentence was wholly suspended for five years on condition they each cough up US$1 000 restitution.
That is a total of US$4 000. Quite a price to pay for what was basically holy Lego gone wrong.
The NPAZ issued a politely stern clap-back in their statement saying, “The NPAZ urges members of the public to stop resorting to violence as a way of resolving disputes. Third party mediation and channels within the confines of the law are recommended for dispute resolution.”
While the believers await peace to be restored, one lesson stands tall like the remaining church wall:
If you are going to steal building materials, at least do not steal them from the Lord’s house. God is watching and apparently so are the magistrates.
well written report keep it up .