News / Local
Guta Ra Mwari splits again
24 Feb 2014 at 06:20hrs | Views
THE fragmented Guta Ra Mwari Church has split into three, with the chairman of its international council, Evangelist Joseph Bongo Malinga, leading a breakaway faction that has opened a new base in Bulawayo's Tshabalala suburb.
According to court documents Malinga early last month made an ex-parte application seeking to bar the other factions from interfering and disturbing church services at the new church.
"The applicant registered the church (CA1/2014) and now there are three different organisations with the name Guta Ra Mwari. One is Guta Ra Mwari Zvimiso, the other Guta Ra Mwari Religion and the new one Guta Ra Mwari," read the application.
Formed in 1954 by Mai Chaza who became the first host, the church now has Guta Ra Mwari Religion based in Old Lobengula whose leaders are the Joseph Bakuru Tayali, Joel Tawedzera, Stephen Sibanda, Francis Mwene, Clavin Chauke and Sam Mkhithika.
The other faction Guta Ra Mwari Zwimiso has its own leaders and uses the same premises in Old Lobengula, where members have at one point not only insulted each other using unprintable words during a service, but assaulted each other.
Malinga, representing the latest splinter Guta Ra Mwari, identified Guta Ra Mwari Religion, Tayali, Tawedzera, Sibanda, Mwene, Chauke and Mkhithika as respondents.
"The applicant and respondent have mutually exclusive policies, principles and beliefs. Due to differences, the applicant has severed ties with Guta Ra Mwari. We have identified what would be a permanent solution to whatever problems the parties face as we have registered as a separate entity and desire to commence worship services at a different site in Tshabalala," he said.
Added Malinga who is responsible for administration of the church in Southern Africa and United Kingdom: "Guta Ra Mwari would continue in Lobengula."
He said they sought legal intervention given the rivalry background of the factions and also fear that the other groups would disrupt their services.
Against that ruling it is said violence reigned supreme last week at the Tshabalala church, as members of the other factions bulldozed and disturbed the new church's first conference.
Ironically, the older factions have joined hands against the new splinter group though in August last year the courts had to intervene when the two factions were fighting.
Then, the court granted a peace order in favour of Guta Ra Mwari Religion against Guta Ra Mwari Zvimiso, led by Tayali, Tawedzera, Sibanda, Mwene and Chauke.
Another faction leader Joel Mabhena was later to be arrested for contempt of court in relation to the peace order, but was acquitted. Tayali's father, Taxwell Tayali was appointed second host after the death of Mai Chaza and with the help of his wife Laizah Tayali, registered the church as Guta Ra Mwari in 1974.
Following Tayali and his wife's death in 2003, the church has been rocked by serious infighting.
According to court documents Malinga early last month made an ex-parte application seeking to bar the other factions from interfering and disturbing church services at the new church.
"The applicant registered the church (CA1/2014) and now there are three different organisations with the name Guta Ra Mwari. One is Guta Ra Mwari Zvimiso, the other Guta Ra Mwari Religion and the new one Guta Ra Mwari," read the application.
Formed in 1954 by Mai Chaza who became the first host, the church now has Guta Ra Mwari Religion based in Old Lobengula whose leaders are the Joseph Bakuru Tayali, Joel Tawedzera, Stephen Sibanda, Francis Mwene, Clavin Chauke and Sam Mkhithika.
The other faction Guta Ra Mwari Zwimiso has its own leaders and uses the same premises in Old Lobengula, where members have at one point not only insulted each other using unprintable words during a service, but assaulted each other.
Malinga, representing the latest splinter Guta Ra Mwari, identified Guta Ra Mwari Religion, Tayali, Tawedzera, Sibanda, Mwene, Chauke and Mkhithika as respondents.
"The applicant and respondent have mutually exclusive policies, principles and beliefs. Due to differences, the applicant has severed ties with Guta Ra Mwari. We have identified what would be a permanent solution to whatever problems the parties face as we have registered as a separate entity and desire to commence worship services at a different site in Tshabalala," he said.
He said they sought legal intervention given the rivalry background of the factions and also fear that the other groups would disrupt their services.
Against that ruling it is said violence reigned supreme last week at the Tshabalala church, as members of the other factions bulldozed and disturbed the new church's first conference.
Ironically, the older factions have joined hands against the new splinter group though in August last year the courts had to intervene when the two factions were fighting.
Then, the court granted a peace order in favour of Guta Ra Mwari Religion against Guta Ra Mwari Zvimiso, led by Tayali, Tawedzera, Sibanda, Mwene and Chauke.
Another faction leader Joel Mabhena was later to be arrested for contempt of court in relation to the peace order, but was acquitted. Tayali's father, Taxwell Tayali was appointed second host after the death of Mai Chaza and with the help of his wife Laizah Tayali, registered the church as Guta Ra Mwari in 1974.
Following Tayali and his wife's death in 2003, the church has been rocked by serious infighting.
Source - Chronicle
