A LEADERSHIP wrangle threatening to tear apart the Evangelical Church of Zimbabwe (ECZ) has spilled into the courts.
BY OUR STAFF
The High Court has since issued an order barring incumbent leader Bishop Benson Makachi from calling for any church meetings or interfering with the election of a new bishop in line with the church’s constitution.
High Court judge Justice Francis Bere granted the order against respondents Makachi, selection committee chairperson Reverend Dewa, Vice Bishop Amos Mateva and the ECZ on March 5 2015.
The matter was heard in chambers under case number HC 1776/15.
“1st Respondent [Makachi] be and is hereby ordered not to interfere in any unlawful manner, in the process of election of the Bishop currently underway in 4th Respondent [ECZ],” reads the order in part.
Bere further ordered the disregarding of ballot papers sent out to the church’s various districts by Dewa under the instructions of Makachi and declared them null and void.
Some church members, led by applicant Humphrey Machiri, are accusing Makachi of attempting to influence the outcome of the elections for a new leadership.
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According to the provisional order, the respondents are to file an opposing affidavit with the registrar of the High Court within 10 days from March 5, failure of which the matter will be set down for hearing without further notice. ECZ owns Karanda Mission Hospital in Mt. Darwin which draws patients from all over the country.
