BISHOP Chad Gandiya, leader of the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) Zimbabwe, has resumed construction of a $150 000 St Clare’s memorial clinic in Murewa five years after he abandoned the project, following seizure of the church properties by excommunicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga.
Report by Jairos Saunyama
Gandiya told NewsDay on Wednesday that the clinic was expected to start operating in August next year and would serve around 30 000 villagers. Currently, villagers in the area have to travel long distances to Murewa Hospital and St Paul Musami for treatment.
The project was launched by members of the Anglican Wabvuwi Guild and Anglican Clergy following the death of five Wabvuwi members in a road accident at St Clare’s Mission turn-off on November 9, 2007.
However, construction was halted in 2007 by Kunonga who seized all the church’s assets, claiming the courts had given him custody of the properties.
“Upon completion, scheduled for August 2014, the memorial clinic will serve around 30 000 villagers, drawn from three wards in Murewa. Key health services like maternity services, adult and children’s outpatients department will be at this clinic,” Gandiya said.
“The project was halted in 2007 when Kunonga and his followers denied Anglicans access to the project site, including the church building, claiming they were now in charge. However, they failed to carry on with the project, stalling development that was approved by Murewa District Council, the local traditional leadership and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.”
The clinic is located at the 70km peg along the Harare-Nyamapanda Highway and is 13km away from Murewa Hospital.
