THE Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has confirmed that it is now investigating top lawyer Chipo Mahlangu after Assemblies of God-Spiritual Movement (AoG-SM) filed a complaint accusing her of gross misconduct in church property cases before the courts.
The Francis Nyika-founded AoG-SM, now led by Phillip Zinyama, is involved in a bitter fight with the Nathan Setlhako-led Assemblies of God-Back To God (AoG-BTG), which is accused of trying to seize properties belonging to the former.
AoG-BTG is being represented by Mahlangu of Maposa Mahlangu Attorneys. Mahlangu is also reportedly an active member of AoG-BTG and has been publicly associated with church activities.
LSZ on Thursday confirmed that investigations into the allegations were underway.
In a letter dated March 18 addressed to AoG-SM and gleaned by NewsDay Weekender, LSZ executive secretary Edward Mapara said: “Upon receipt of your complaint, we commenced our investigations into the alleged conduct of the respondent.
“The respondent was invited to comment on the allegations you raised and we accorded you an opportunity to controvert the respondent’s responses.
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“The investigations into this matter have been concluded at this stage and we are therefore proceeding to refer the case to our Disciplinary and Ethics Committee (DEC) for consideration, in terms of By-Law 61 (5) of the Law Society of Zimbabwe By-Laws SI 314 of 1982.
“The DEC will consider the matter and make its recommendation. As soon as the DEC has finalised its recommendations, these will be placed before Council at its next formal meeting for consideration.”
Mahlangu is a former chairperson of the LSZ Compensation Fund Board of Trustees.
Publicly available information, including details on the church’s own website, shows that AoG-BTG is using an address in Strathaven, Harare, which is also used by Maposa Mahlangu Attorneys.
The overlap has raised questions in some quarters about the nature of the working relationship between the church and the law firm, and whether the property forms part of the church’s assets.
The LSZ complaint comes against the background of a wider dispute between AoG-SM and AoG-BTG over church properties acquired during Nyika’s tenure.
At the Harare High Court, the Setlhako-led AoG-BTG lost a bid to evict AoG-SM from its headquarters in Dombotombo, Marondera.
In that matter, High Court judge Justice Regis Dembure imposed punitive costs, saying the order was necessary “to deter church leaders from irresponsibly dragging the church into litigation”.
Asked whether AoG-SM had received the awarded sum of more than US$8 000 and whether it was still willing to engage, Zinyama said: “Yes, but we are also ready to defend our property.”
Two national executive members, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there had been internal concerns about how legal matters were being handled and whether there was enough consultation within the full leadership structure.
Another member said the church’s governance structure places responsibility on the full national executive rather than individual office bearers, adding that accountability rests with the entire body and not just a few individuals.
The latest developments have also renewed focus on wider concerns within AoG-BTG, including delays in the completion of the Mashava Auditorium project and questions from some members over how resources are being handled.
One member said congregants had expected to begin worshipping at the site as early as April, but were later advised to remain in their respective regions, adding to concerns over how project-related resources were being handled.
Some members say the later election timetable has added to concern about whether the current leadership, particularly those most closely associated with the church’s legal and administrative decisions, is being given more time to manage unresolved issues before the national conference.