EX-COMMUNICATED Anglican Church leader Nolbert Kunonga has fired his former ally Bishop Elson Jakazi for alleged misconduct.
Jakazi became a Bishop in Kunonga’s Evangelical Anglican Church International (EACI)’s Mutare Diocese after they were both fired from the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) in 2012, following a protracted five-year legal battle over control of church properties.
Last month, he was suspended from Kunonga’s EACI for committing various acts of misconduct, before the church’s national court defrocked him.
Some of the charges include contravening the church’s constitution, general neglect of duties after admonition by a legally constituted body and exercising veto powers on resolutions of the national council.
The church’s national court, presided over by Phillip Bonde, set in Mutare last week, found Jakazi guilty of committing various acts of misconduct, which were corroborated by 11 witnesses.
In passing judgment, Bonde said: “After a careful consideration of all the evidence presented before the court, members unanimously agreed that Bishop Elson Madoda Jakazi had committed the acts of misconduct. Thus, he is found guilty as charged on all the offences.”
“Therefore, Bishop Elson Madoda Jakazi is removed from office as Bishop of the Evangelical Anglican Church International with immediate effect.”
Jakazi was barred from exercising any authority as a bishop of EACI or masquerading as one at any time.
He was also barred from addressing, preaching or interfering with the affairs and activities of any EACI assemblies with immediate effect.
“He is ordered to surrender any assets, property and documents that belong to the church and immediately vacate the office at No 29 2nd Street, Mutare, and hand over the keys to the administrator.”
Jakazi was found guilty of seeking to block and later boycotting the church’s national conference, held on October 30 and 31, 2015.
He was also convicted for interfering with decisions of various church commissions, culminating in their failure to properly carry out their responsibilities.