Supreme Court Dismisses Appeal Challenging Bishop Madawo’s Leadership in Apostolic Faith Mission Zimbabwe

The Supreme Court of Zimbabwe has ruled in favor of Bishop Madawo, affirming his position as the legitimate leader of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in the country. The court dismissed the appeal led by Bishop Cossam Chiangwa and others, who had sought to challenge the leadership structure of the church. The ruling confirmed that the meeting held on September 22, 2018, which aimed to remove Bishop Madawo and appoint Bishop Chiangwa as church president, lacked legal authority and was therefore void from the outset.

The dispute began when a civil suit was filed in the High Court following the 2018 meeting. Justice David Mangota had previously ruled that the meeting had no power to make decisions, upholding Bishop Madawo’s leadership. The appeal court, consisting of Justices Susan Mavangira, Lavender Makoni, and Samuel Kudya, upheld this decision, finding that the group led by Bishop Chiangwa did not have the legal standing to pursue their claim. The court emphasized that their leadership claim was based on an invalid meeting, which rendered all subsequent actions null and void.

Bishop Madawo’s faction, which includes members such as Aspher Madziyire and Munyaradzi Shumba, had sought to nullify the 2018 meeting and any actions that followed. The court’s decision reinforced the legitimacy of their application and affirmed that they had the proper standing to pursue legal remedies. In a post-judgment statement, Bishop Madawo expressed confidence in the court’s ruling, stating that the actions of the Chiangwa faction since September 2019 had been illegal. He pledged to implement the court’s orders, including the recovery of church assets and the proper management of places of worship.

Bishop Madawo urged church members to remain calm and avoid taking matters into their own hands. He noted that those who had lost their positions were not excommunicated and still retained membership in the church, though they were no longer serving as pastors. The situation has been a source of tension within the AFM, with the Chiangwa group announcing their intention to form a separate body if possible, while remaining under the broader Apostolic Faith Mission International.

The legal resolution marks a significant moment for the AFM, as it reaffirms the importance of due process and the rule of law in resolving internal disputes. The court’s decision underscores the need for adherence to established procedures and the protection of institutional integrity. As the church moves forward, the focus will be on implementing the court’s directives and restoring order within the congregation.

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