AFM saga: Chiangwa approaches Supreme Court

Hosia Mviringi
AFM in Zimbabwe Senior Pastor Cossam Chiangwa has filed a Supreme Court appeal, challenging a spoliation order awarded to a faction led by his rival Reverend Amon Madawo.
In a statement, Chiangwa aligned Secretary General of the AFM in Zimbabwe Reverend Nathan Nhira told their congregants that the church is still in their faction`s control.
“Please take note that the disturbances and claims of takeover of our Church have been immediately contained and the status quo remains,” he said.
We are admittedly in trying times but the Lord has always been faithful. Remain strong, focused and more prayerful. Victory is certain,” the statement said.
The faction under Chiangwa, have filed a notice of appeal under number SC433/21 at the Supreme Court.
Dr Lovemore Madhuku is their legal representative.
The filing of the appeal suspends the spoliation order which awarded all church property, including all buildings to Reverend Amon Madawo and his faction in the church.
“The Court a quo erred in law and misdirected itself in granting spoliation order in favour of the respondent without making a definitive finding that the respondent was in possession of the property in question,” the appeal read.
The property against which a spoliation order was granted, which include church buildings, was and continues to be available for use to both parties, making the application for spoliation unnecessary, making the order null and void.
Reverend Cossam Chiangwa and his followers had surrendered the church premises abiding with the High Court ruling HC 5549/21 which barred them from using the Church property.
“Given that the respondent is a persona ficta which can only possess property through agents, the court a quo erred at law and misdirected itself in granting a spoliation order in favour of the respondent without establishing the natural persons that possessed for and on behalf of the respondent,” argued Chiyangwa in his notice of appeal.
The AFM Church has experienced one of the longest running internal squabbles which have lasted for almost a decade now.