Mugodhi factional wars rage on

THE Mugodhi Apostolic Faith Church factional wars have taken a new twist after one of its top members was dragged to Chitungwiza Magistrates Court accused of kidnapping a congregant.

The church is involved in a bitter ownership wrangle pitting the Washington Mugodhi against Aaron Munodawafa factions.

A total of 12 congregants from the Washington Mugodhi faction were arrested in May and charged with public violence following a fight at Chitope Shrine in Wedza.

Millicent Nota, one of the members accused of public violence, has since dragged Davison Mangoma, a top member from the Munodawafa faction, accusing him of kidnapping her.

Mangoma appeared in court early this week. He is out on free bail and will return to court on July 28.

According to court papers, on May 4, at around 1845 hours, Mangoma (48) together with some unnamed accomplices, drove to Nota's house in Chitungwiza and told her that she was under arrest for a case of assault.

The court heard that Nota was taken to a place in Dema, Seke, where she was assaulted and ordered to denounce the Mugodhi faction.

After her release, she informed her husband, who filed a police report at Dema Police Station.

The factional fights were ignited after the late bishop Tadeau Mugodhi appointed his son Washington as the church leader against the church's constitution.