Tensions inside the Africa Apostolic Church (Mwazha) are so high that a split section has taken dramatic measures to sabotage the church’s impending annual conference, which President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to preside over.
Leaders Ernest Mhambare and Kurauone Sibanda have reportedly “destroyed numerous Blair toilets” at the Ndarikure Shrine, where the conference is scheduled to take place from August 30 to September 1, 2024, according to a letter from the Reverend Nyika Murisi group.
In an effort to prevent access, the group leaders are also charged with constructing trenches across the shrine’s access roads, and Sibanda is accused of firing a gun to scatter worshippers who attempted to reason with him.
In the letter addressed to Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, Murisi says the faction’s actions are politically motivated, as they are “sympathetic to other political actors who are opposed to the Presidency of His Excellency Cde. Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.”
Murisi has requested police protection for the upcoming conference, noting that the Mhambare faction is “attempting to stop the lawful gathering without a lawful order.”
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The letter, also copied to the President’s Office and senior government officials, states that the faction is “abusing a court order” obtained against another group, which does not relate to Murisi’s faction.
“It is critical for the Zimbabwe Republic Police to attend our clients’ meetings for purposes of keeping peace since they are peace-loving,” the lawyers wrote, adding that they also want to rebuild the destroyed toilets and ensure all necessary facilities are in place for the conference.
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