Court halts Johane Masowe exhumation

The High Court has halted the State-sanctioned exhumation of Peter Jack Masedza, popularly known as Johane Masowe, founder of the Gospel of God International church, in a case that has reignited a long-standing dispute over his burial site at Dandadzi Hills near Rusape.

Justice Regis Dembure ruled that the authorisation issued for the exhumation was unlawful, setting aside the decision by the Provincial Administrator and effectively stopping the planned relocation of Masowe's remains.

The Government had approved the request by Masowe's sons, Magaga and Reuben, to move their father's remains to a more accessible site. However, the church opposed the move, arguing that the gravesite is sacred and central to the faith's spiritual identity.

Representing the church, lawyers argued that proper legal procedures were not followed and that the religious community was not given an opportunity to be heard before the decision was made. The court agreed that the process failed to comply with the Administrative Justice Act.

The ruling comes after months of heightened tensions at the shrine, where access has at times been restricted amid fears of forced exhumation.

Despite the setback, the family maintains that they still have the legal right to pursue the relocation of their father's remains, saying the judgment only requires the proper administrative steps to be followed.

The dispute continues to reflect a deep conflict between family wishes, religious tradition, and state administrative authority over one of Zimbabwe's most revered spiritual figures.