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seven-roomed house at the church’s shrine in Defe Dopota.
It is alleged that Frank, Govhat, Tanaka, Webster and Reuben Mutendi, who are the children of Bishop Mutendi’s brother, last month assaulted Mr Alleviate Nyamazana and his wife Melody with steel chairs and bricks after their refusal to vacate the house.
The brothers besieged the Nyamazana homestead at the shrine in Gokwe and assaulted the two in front of other villagers and church members. The villagers said the five brothers went on to destroy 17 windowpanes around the house as well as ripping open its roof.
Acting Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident which occurred on May 24.
“I can confirm that five members of the ZCC Mutendi sect were arrested after they severely assaulted Mr Nyamazana and his wife in a dispute over ownership of a house,” he said.
“The house which is at the centre of controversy was sold to the church by Mr Nyamazana’s brother, Archbold.”
Mr Nyamazana is said to have stayed put in the house after he was served with an eviction notice by the church. Mrs Nyamazana sustained internal body injuries and a deep cut on the right hand due to the assault and was admitted at Gokwe District Hospital for three days before being referred to Harare.
Mr Nyamazana alleged in an interview that the house, which is at the centre of the controversy, was illegally sold to the ZCC Mutendi church by his brother after both their parents died.
“I was surprised when the church served me with an eviction notice sometime last year,” he said. “I then informed the church to first compensate my family before evicting us.
“I was then told that the house had already been sold to the church and would soon be turned into a clinic.”
Mr Nyamazana said he tried to engage the church so that the matter would be resolved amicably, but the church refused.
Bishop Mutendi’s son, who is also the church’s legal advisor, Mr Shepherd Mutendi, insisted that the house belonged to the church.
“Mr Nyamazana must confront his brother who sold the house, not the church,” he said.
“We bought the house from his brother Archbold for US$4 500.”
Mr Mutendi denied sending his cousins to forcibly evict Mr Nyamazana.
Online Reporter