Johane Masowe to be exhumed

Authorities have granted permission for the exhumation of the remains of Peter Jack Masedza, widely known as Johane Masowe, bringing closure to a decades-long dispute between his family and the church he founded.

The late religious leader, who established the Gospel of God Church International, was buried in 1973 at a site in Rusape that later became a major shrine for his followers.

In a formal notice dated March 25, 2026, legal representatives of his sons, Magaga Masedza and Rueben Masedza, advised that the exhumation will take place on April 2 at the Gandanzara Shrine in Makoni District.

The brothers have long argued for the right to rebury their father at a location accessible to the family, while the church has maintained that the original burial site was chosen by Masowe himself and has since become sacred to thousands of congregants.

Law firm Mushangwe and Company Legal Practitioners confirmed that all administrative requirements had been fulfilled and that a burial order had been issued.

"Authority was granted from the relevant authorities to exhume and rebury the remains," the firm said.

The legal basis for the move stems from a High Court ruling (Case No. HCH1769/23), which affirmed the family's right to seek exhumation — a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court (Case No. SCI 12/25).

Correspondence from Provincial Registrar J Munamati confirmed that the district registrar had been authorised to issue the burial order, with no objection from authorities provided all legal and public health requirements are met.

The Supreme Court of Zimbabwe previously clarified that while the judiciary could affirm the family's right to pursue exhumation, the final authority rests with government administrative bodies.

In her ruling, Justice Susan Mavangira emphasised that no burial site — including those regarded as shrines — is exempt from the provisions of the Cemeteries Act.

"The applicants have a right to seek the exhumation of the remains of the deceased. Whether they succeed in that quest is not for this court to decide but for the appropriate administrative authorities," she said.

The court also dismissed arguments by the church that the matter had already been settled in a 2003 case, ruling that the earlier judgment dealt only with visitation rights, not exhumation.

With legal hurdles now cleared, the planned exhumation marks the culmination of a long-running and emotionally charged dispute over the final resting place of one of Zimbabwe's most influential religious figures.

As the date approaches, tensions remain high at the shrine, reflecting the deep divide between the Masedza family and church followers over the legacy and burial of Johane Masowe.