News / National
Mwazha heir in court over shrine standoff
2 hrs ago |
158 Views
Ngoni Mwazha, the son of the late African Apostolic Church leader Archbishop Paul Mwazha, has appeared in court facing a charge of contempt of court after allegedly defying a High Court order barring him and 16 others from convening at church shrines in Eastview, Harare.
The accused are alleged to have held unauthorised church services at shrines in Eastview's Phases 2, 3 and 12, in direct violation of a 2022 High Court injunction that prohibited them from accessing or holding meetings at the specified locations.
Appearing before Magistrate Kudzanai Kapurura, the accused pleaded not guilty, with their defence challenging the very existence of the Eastview shrines cited by the prosecution. They also questioned the complainant's legal standing, arguing that Jacob Mazo is not authorised to act on behalf of the African Apostolic Church.
In their submissions, the accused maintained that they are members in good standing who were never formally expelled from the church. They further argued that their conduct is consistent with the religious doctrines 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 also contended that the High Court order does not amount to an outright prohibition on the use of the shrines, but rather regulates gatherings by setting out procedures to be followed. According to the accused, the order requires church members to obtain authorisation from the church's governing authority before holding services.
"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 matter is set to resume on January 29, as the court continues to hear evidence and arguments from both sides.
The accused are alleged to have held unauthorised church services at shrines in Eastview's Phases 2, 3 and 12, in direct violation of a 2022 High Court injunction that prohibited them from accessing or holding meetings at the specified locations.
Appearing before Magistrate Kudzanai Kapurura, the accused pleaded not guilty, with their defence challenging the very existence of the Eastview shrines cited by the prosecution. They also questioned the complainant's legal standing, arguing that Jacob Mazo is not authorised to act on behalf of the African Apostolic Church.
In their submissions, the accused maintained that they are members in good standing who were never formally expelled from the church. They further argued that their conduct is consistent with the religious doctrines established by the late Archbishop Mwazha.
The defence also contended that the High Court order does not amount to an outright prohibition on the use of the shrines, but rather regulates gatherings by setting out procedures to be followed. According to the accused, the order requires church members to obtain authorisation from the church's governing authority before holding services.
"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 matter is set to resume on January 29, as the court continues to hear evidence and arguments from both sides.
Source - online
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
