BY STAFF WRITER
A fierce dispute over a worshipping shrine has erupted between Johane Masowe Yechishanu Jerusarema (JMYJ) and a breakaway faction, jolting the former to approach the court to settle the dispute.
In a matter before the High Court, JMYJ is Applicant and Ekosi Chiwore, Sanda Chiwore and Rakios Chiwore are cited as Respondents.
JMYJ told the court that the respondents were barred from worshipping at Muzika Shrine in Nyamoyebonde village, Guruve, with the rest of the breakaway congregation by virtue of being a splinter church.
The respondents are accused of not heeding the call by JMYJ to vacate the worshipping shrine resulting in a physical fight over the years.
“As a result of their break away, Respondents and their followers were removed as members and barred from worshipping at Muzika Shrine with the rest of the congregation. This resulted through the years in several clashes between the Respondents and the leadership of the Applicant, and between the followers of the Respondents and those of the Applicant, at times the altercations getting physical,” reads the court papers.
JMYJ say efforts to resolve the dispute through local leadership and local authority hit a snag.
The Respondents are said to have stormed the shrine, disrupting the Applicant’s prayer sessions.
“Most recently, from the 21st October 2021 to 1st November 2021, we commenced our gathering for Baptism, at the shrine.During that time, the 1st Respondent and his followers without the approval of the Applicant’s leadership, would enter the shrine, interrupting and interfering with the activities of the members attending the gathering,” said the applicant.
The matter is pending.
