The move coincided with the pastoral visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the district.
Bishop Julius Makoni represented the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland in a High Court application seeking the possession, control and use of All Saints Anglican Church in Zimunya after a two-month period of illegal occupation by Jakazi’s men.
Bishop Makoni then approached the High Court seeking confirmation of the provisional order that the High Court declares Elson Madoda Jakazi, and three of his priests Reverends Bernard Maupa, Vusumuzi Ndlovu and a Reverend Katanga in contempt of court if they defy the order.
The order also sought the incarceration of the quartet at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
Pending the determination of the matter, High Court judge, Justice Tendai Uchena granted the CPCA in Manicaland under Bishop Makoni the following relief:
“The respondents- Jakazi, Maupa, Ndlovu and Katanga herein are ordered to restore forthwith to the Anglicans herein possession, control and use of the All Saints Anglican Zimunya Church.”
On returning from Manicaland the regional archbishops and the Zimbabwean bishops accompanied the Archbishop of Canterbury in making a courtesy visit to the President. Afterwards, the Archbishops issued a statement saying: “We have asked, in the clearest possible terms, that the President uses his powers as Head of State to put an end to all unacceptable and illegal behaviour.”
Bishop Makoni said: “We are delighted that the courts have ruled in our favour coinciding with the Archbishop of Canterbury’s pastoral visit to Manicaland.”
Post published in: News