Mutumwa Paul Mwazha( 102 years) being abused by close leutenants as succession race hots up.
Open letter to Human rights groups and Minister of Social Services
I am a member of the African Apostolic Church and i am highly disturbed and worried about Mutumwa Paul Mwazha’s (102 years) welfare and safety as his close lieutenants continue to pesture him to appoint a successor as well as disturbing his peace and abusing him.At such an advanced age Mutumwa should be enjoying his privacy and not disturbed by administrative ,court and succession issues.
Before being inactive in church issuues Mutumwa Mwazha appointed his last born son Bishop Israel Tawanda Mwazha, who is currently based in South Africa , to perform the functions which he used to do such as performing holy communion rites.In 2019 Evangelist Kasima (mutumwa’s close aide) penned a letter which he claimed was written under Mutumwa’s instructions.The letter reinforced that Bishop Tawanda would continue doing his duties as spritual leader and leading in holy communion.The letter also went on to instruct other leaders to go with Bishop Alfred Kushamisa Mwazha (Second born son) when buying holy communion items since he is the most senior leader when people are at church.Mutumwa’s eldest son Ngoni Edward Mwazha was barred from leading since he went against church doctrine of one men one wife but he married many wives and thus unqualified.On 19 March 2020 all Mutumwa’s sons and Board of trustee members were called and the letter was read in their presence by his aide Ev Kasima.Later the letter’s contents were intepreted differently as some felt Tawanda should lead the church since he had been given an important task to lead in holy communion whilst others felt Kushamisa should lead since he was most senior as indicated in the letter.This issue spilled into public domain and this prompted some government officials to try and break the impasse.They organised to go to Mutumwa’s house to hear his correct position pertaining succession issue in the letter but that did not materialise as the visit generated into chaos in May 2020 and the clashes of the day made headlines in most Zimbabwean media outlets including ZBC TV.
The event then prompted one of the church members Reverend Ernest Mhambare( son to the late church chairman Enoch Mhambare) to report the matter to High court on urgent basis.He wanted the perpetrators of the violence( including Mutumwa’s sons Ngoni,Kushamisa and James as well as Secretary General Juru, Bishops Tafa of Harare North, Bishop Chiome and Rev Siyamuzhombwe) to stop that.He also wanted to compel church leaders to use the constitution in all matters pertaining the church succession and administration.The church constitution states that in the event of Mutumwa’ s death, illness or absence , the church would be headed by a Priesthood Council (PC) which is made up of mutumwa’s biological sons who are bishops and all matters to be decided unanimously not by majority vote in the PC.The PC would be assisted by a Board of Trustee BOT which is also a high ranking body which encompasses PC and other selected church leaders.
The succession matter divided the leaders so much that two camps exists : those supporting Tawanda Israel Mwazha ( last born) and others supporting Kushamisa Afred Mwazha( second born).Among senior members Tawanda’s camp has support of Church Chairman Chiseko Mwazha, Vice chairman Patrick Mahachi, Vice Secretary General Mhizha whilst Kushamisa’s camp has General secretary Juru, James Mwazha as well as non church members Ngoni Mwazha and Dr Masimba Mwazha.Various Bishops and Reverends also took sides.These 2 camps take turns to visit mutumwa seperately several times trying to lure Mutumwa to appoint their preferred candidates as successors.They visit him a lot exposing him to corona virus considering that his age is advanced and very vulnerable .
When the case was tried at High court Kushamisa’s camp felt it was losing as Applicant Mhambare’s lawyers requested to see the authenticity of the 19 March letter and this riled Kushamisa’s camp which felt it was losing since the matter is to go before the judge on 5 August 2020.So to strengthen their defence they sought Paul Mwazha’s signature.This prompted Kushamisa Mwazha and his team led by Rev Siyamuzhombwe to go and force Mutumwa Mwazha to put a fingerprint on the letter of 19 March.Mutumwa did not concede but the cabal made sure his thumb had to be put at all cost.They dipped his finger in ink against his will and he complained so much about the incident since he was no longer comfortable with his hands following the dipping.He even complained to Siyamuzhombwe that he would break his thumb( munondikuvadzaka he said) as Siyamuzhombwe kept on pressing it on the letter making finger prints.After forcing him to put his finger print Mutumwa kept on asking what had happened to his hand(munwe wangu waomarara sei mandiitei?) and why they had treated him (ko mazviitirei?ah vakomanaka)that way.He actually said he had never experienced such discomfort in his hands( hazvisati zvambodai kutotanga nhasi).He requested to get an explanation for over 25 minutes to what could have happened and why.He requested to have hands washed about three times but kept on requesting explanation and complaining about his discomfort.Siyamuzhombwe instructed his aides to give him gloves to wear so that he does not feel nor see the ink).There is a 40 minute audio clip supporting this incident.
As a member of the African Apostolic church led by Paul Mwazha i feel mutumwa’s rights were violated physically and mentally.Physical and emotional abuse took place .The man of God was deceived .His health rights were violated and continue to be violated .I call upon all human rights groups which deal with rights of the elderly to investigate this case and other members who continue to abuse Paul Mwazha’s rights to be brought to book.Paul Mwazha no longer has peace deserved by an elderly man .He is being disturbed by power hungry leaders, he is being exposed to covid 19 as well as having right to privacy violated.His right to good health was violated by Norman Siyamuzhombwe (on Wednesday 29 July at ‘Number 8’) when he dipped mutumwa’s finger into ink without his knowledge and he became irritated continuously untill they gave him gloves to cover up for their misdeeds.One member who was in that meeting even complained that mutumwa was not in agreement with the act( vatenderana nazvo here zvamuri kuvait?).Elderly people must be protected as enshrined in the constitution of Zimbabwe and Mutumwa Mwazha has that right too.Hope caring Zimbabweans and organisation will assist the old man who dedicated his entire life in building one of the biggest Apostolic churches.
Yours
Moyo EV.