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Mwazha's son in court
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Ngoni Mwazha, the son of the late African Apostolic Church leader Archbishop Paul Mwazha, has appeared in court facing charges of contempt of court after allegedly defying a High Court order barring him and 16 others from holding church gatherings at designated shrines in Eastview, Harare.
The State alleges that Mwazha and his co-accused unlawfully conducted worship services at African Apostolic Church shrines in Eastview phases 2, 3 and 12, in direct violation of a 2022 High Court order. The ruling reportedly prohibited the group from visiting or convening meetings at the specified sites without authorisation.
The matter is being heard before Harare magistrate Kudzanai Kapurura.
Mwazha and the co-accused have denied the charges, disputing the existence of African Apostolic Church shrines in Eastview as claimed by the complainant. They also challenged the complainant's standing, arguing that Jacob Mazo does not have the authority to report the matter on behalf of the church.
In their defence, the accused maintained that they are bona fide members of the African Apostolic Church and have never been expelled through any formal disciplinary process. They insisted that their actions are consistent with the teachings and faith practices established by the late Archbishop Mwazha.
"The accused persons, in the exercise of their faith, do not act through the individuals mentioned in High Court order HC 537/22 but instead worship in accordance with their belief in Jesus Christ, as taught by Archbishop Paul Mwazha of Africa, the servant of God and leader of the church," the defence submitted.
The defence further argued that the High Court order does not amount to a blanket prohibition on worship at the shrines. Instead, they said it merely outlines procedures to be followed when holding gatherings, including obtaining consent from the church's leadership.
"The order confirms the procedure that church members must follow whenever they intend to hold gatherings by obtaining consent from the Archbishop Paul Mwazha of Africa. It is unimaginable that non-members of the church would be required to seek such consent," the defence argued.
The trial is set to continue on January 29, when the final witness is expected to testify.
The State alleges that Mwazha and his co-accused unlawfully conducted worship services at African Apostolic Church shrines in Eastview phases 2, 3 and 12, in direct violation of a 2022 High Court order. The ruling reportedly prohibited the group from visiting or convening meetings at the specified sites without authorisation.
The matter is being heard before Harare magistrate Kudzanai Kapurura.
Mwazha and the co-accused have denied the charges, disputing the existence of African Apostolic Church shrines in Eastview as claimed by the complainant. They also challenged the complainant's standing, arguing that Jacob Mazo does not have the authority to report the matter on behalf of the church.
"The accused persons, in the exercise of their faith, do not act through the individuals mentioned in High Court order HC 537/22 but instead worship in accordance with their belief in Jesus Christ, as taught by Archbishop Paul Mwazha of Africa, the servant of God and leader of the church," the defence submitted.
The defence further argued that the High Court order does not amount to a blanket prohibition on worship at the shrines. Instead, they said it merely outlines procedures to be followed when holding gatherings, including obtaining consent from the church's leadership.
"The order confirms the procedure that church members must follow whenever they intend to hold gatherings by obtaining consent from the Archbishop Paul Mwazha of Africa. It is unimaginable that non-members of the church would be required to seek such consent," the defence argued.
The trial is set to continue on January 29, when the final witness is expected to testify.
Source - The Herald
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