Kunonga evictions turn ugly

By The NewsDay | Dec. 1, 2012 | 2 Min read

THE drama that has characterised the eviction of excommunicated Anglican Church bishop Nolbert Kunonga took yet another twist in Harare yesterday with riot police applying “maximum” force on one of Kunonga’s priest resisting eviction from a Church house in the central business district

REPORT BY MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER

In a separate bloody altercation over the properties, another Kunonga priest, also resisting removal from the church in Tafara, allegedly picked up bricks and attacked a rival priest from the victorious faction led by Harare Diocese Bishop Chad Gandiya, injuring him in the head.

Reverend Naboth Manzongo told NewsDay last night he had been taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital for treatment following the attack.

While some of the priests and officials occupying the Anglican Church building have heeded the Supreme Court ruling outlawing their occupancy of the properties, Kunonga and a handful of his priests and officials appear to have dug in, refusing to move out of churches, schools, houses and other properties legally owned by the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa, from which Kunonga was excommunicated before forming his own church.

After several successful evictions beginning last week, Kunonga moved to resist the evictions after filing a High Court application seeking stay of evictions. Several of his followers then followed suit, prompting the Deputy Sheriff to use force to evict them.

The drama at Number 101 Central Avenue yesterday started when Deputy Sheriff Andrew Chakanyuka and his team arrived at the premises shortly before midday to evict illegal tenants staying at the premises.

One of Kunonga’s priests, identified as Teddy Mukariri and members of their church who were acting as hired “bouncers” blocked the entrance and allegedly threatened to beat up the Deputy Sheriff.