The circumstances surrounding the passing of Archbishop Felix Peresu Masuka, the revered leader of the Zion Apostolic Church-1923, has left raised concerns and divisions within his own family.
According to People's Unity Party (PUP) leader Herbert Chamuka, Archbishop Masuka died a few days ago while on his way to Masvingo General Hospital, after sustaining serious injuries in a road traffic accident in Bikita along the Masvingo-Mutare highway.
He was 50 years old.
"Archbishop Masuka was renowned for his steadfast support for Government programmes, and his sudden passing has left a void in our community," said Chamuka.
However, the challenge now lies in the fact that some family members of the deceased are questioning the narrative surrounding his death.
Talking to this publication, the deceased's sister, Memory Peresu Masuka, expressed her dissatisfaction with the circumstances of her brother's passing.
"I am not happy with the death of my brother," said Memory. "The narratives about the accident are changing and not totally clear. I am very confident that it was not a natural death, and there were some plots behind my brother's death."
Memory further revealed that there had been internal family conflicts over the leadership succession of the Zion Apostolic Church-1923, suggesting that power struggles may have played a role in the Archbishop's untimely demise.
"Some time back, there were fights within the family to take the heir of clergymanship. So, the family is now divided because there are individuals who want the leadership positions," she said.
"I plead with the leadership of this country to help them with a proper investigation into what really happened to her brother."
Chamuka, who has been a member of the Zion Apostolic Church-1923 since his youth, expressed his concern over the family's divisions and called for unity.
"The Masuka family should unite if they are really divided because of power," Chamuka urged.
The sudden and controversial death of Archbishop Masuka has left the religious community and his own family in a state of turmoil, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his passing and the power struggles within the Zion Apostolic Church-1923.- Maritimesnews.com