Church petitions US Embassy over violation of constitution

THE Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Portland Oregon (Southern African Headquarters) has issued a petition to the American Embassy, expressing their discontent over the violation of their church’s constitution.

The AFM of Portland Oregon, one of the country’s biggest churches which is headquartered in Bulawayo’s Pelandaba suburb.

It was formed by the late Reverend Morgan Sengwayo in 1955 and later affiliated to the parent church based in Portland, Oregon in the United States of America.

The church has since 1985 been plagued by numerous divisions which resulted in splinter groups.

Reverend Richard Sibanda, who is on suspension, has been at the helm of the church in the Sadc region since 1985 until he broke ranks with the parent church leadership and subsequently replaced by Reverend Onias Gumbo.

Rev Gumbo’s administration took over control of the church buildings and properties following a protracted legal battle which spilled into the Supreme Court.

According to the Supreme Court judgment delivered by Justice Ben Hlatshwayo, who was sitting with Justices Marie-Anne Gowora and Tendai Uchena, Rev Sibanda was ordered to immediately relinquish possession and use of all church properties both movable and immovable by virtue of his suspension.

Other church members allegedly aligned to Rev Sibanda have since launched a fresh legal battle at the Bulawayo High Court, challenging their evictions from church buildings across the country.

Prior to his departure to the United States for the church’s annual international camp meeting, Rev Gumbo directed the Sheriff of the High Court to execute eviction orders against church members deemed loyal to Rev Sibanda.

In an interview with The Herald, Reverend Kenasi Mutambu Goko said the church is not happy with the way their constitution is being violated by the new faction that left the church 14 years ago and crafted their own constitution in 2012.

“We are not happy with what is happening in our church. This minority group left the church 14 years ago and made their own constitution and, therefore, we want to implore the Ambassador to help us deliver our message to the leaders of the church in Portland.

The new generation of the church is misusing and abusing our constitutional rights” Reverend Goko said.

Mr Kenerd Magune also said that the new administration does not know the background of the church and their constitution is fraudulent. “Our leaders in Portland have taken sides with the new administration, who think it is their church, their constitution gave power to America and the whole world must know because our constitutional rights have been violated” he said

The members of the church have been locked out of church buildings by one Onias Gumbo, using powers derived from a constitution that was crafted by Portland according to the petition.