High Court judge Justice Mary-Zimba Dube ordered a Zvimba Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Zimbabwe (AFM) pastor, who is said to be refusing to leave the church’s mansion, to undergo mental examination after screaming in court as his matter was being heard.
BY CHARLES LAITON
The man of the cloth, Josiah Garamukanwa (71), last week yelled uncontrollably after Justice Dube pointed that he had no right to continue staying in the church’s house because he was no longer an AFM employee.
The remarks by the court incensed Garamukanwa, who then walked out of the courtroom shouting and screaming calling for help. His demeanour attracted the attention of court officials and members of the public who rushed to witness the drama as it unfolded.
As soon as he walked out, Justice Dube issued an order for Garamukanwa’s mental examination through his lawyers which she said should be carried out within six weeks of the order.
According to court papers, Garamukanwa was employed by AFM as a pastor for Harare West Province based at Kuwadzana Phase 3 Assembly before he was transferred to Masiyarwa parish in Zvimba following alleged disciplinary problems, where his fate was eventually sealed.
However, the situation is reported to have become so tense to the extent that his former congregation members in Zvimba resorted to conducting prayers under a tree after allegedly being denied access to the church building by Garamukanwa.
While under the employ of AFM, Garamukanwa enjoyed free accommodation after being allocated a church house at Masiyarwa Assembly as part of his employment benefits.
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But as events unfolded, Garamukanwa allegedly committed several acts of misconduct during his tenure, resulting in him being charged under section 4(g) for habitual and substantial neglect of his duties and section 4 (a) for any conduct or omission inconsistent with the implied conditions of his contract.
The charges eventually led to his expulsion from the church and eviction from the church’s house.
