THE Supreme Court has upheld a recent ruling disqualifying the son of the late Mugodhi Apostolic Faith Church (MAFC) leader Bishop Tadeu Mugodhi, Washington, as the church’s leader.
On August 14 this year, High Court judge Justice Siyabona Musithu ruled that Washington was not the church’s leader ending a leadership wrangle that had divided the church for years.
The court, instead, reinstated Aaron Munodawafa as the substantive bishop of MAFC.
The Munodawafa faction had accused Mugodhi of disregarding the church Constitution, which stated that in the event of the death of a bishop, his or her deputy assumes the leadership role.
In response to the ruling, Washington appealed at the Supreme Court where a panel of three judges dismissed the appeal with costs.
“Whereupon, after reading documents filed of record and hearing counsel, it is ordered that the appeal be and is hereby dismissed with costs,” part of the judgment read.
The Supreme Court bench had Justices Elizabeth Gwaunza, Lavender Makoni and Hlekani Mwayera.
Washington was appointed by his late father causing an uproar within the church as the move was deemed unconstitutional.
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The MAFC was formed in 1947 following a split from the then Kruger Apostolic Faith Mission, which consisted of members mainly from the white community.
In 1948, a large gathering was held at Chitsunge, Chokore village in Buhera, where Elijah Mugodhi was installed as bishop hence the name “Mugodhi”.
Born in 1899, Elijah Mugodhi led the congregation from 1949 until his death in 1971. Following his death, his deputy Chakuwinga took over the reins as the leader.
Chakuwinga was succeeded by his own deputy, known as Chikwenha, who after his death as well, was succeeded by Mabvuwiwa.
Mabvuwiwa then handed over the leadership baton to the late Thadeau Mugodhi who was the son of the founding bishop Elijah.
The Munodawafa-led faction was denied access to the church headquarters popularly known as PaChitope in Wedza among other premises by the Washington Mugodhi-led faction.
