St Engenas ZCC ends years of infighting
Mpho Mokwape | Monday December 8, 2025 06:00
The fired members in the long-running dispute that pitted leaders against each other will return to the church unconditionally after both warring factions signed a consent order in the High Court, following advice from Justice Zein Kebonang to settle their matter rather than continue with prolonged court battles.
In the consent order, both sides accepted that all expelled or dismissed members would be readmitted without any conditions and without being required to reapply.
“The church’s 2016 constitution will guide the readmission and all other steps in the settlement. The agreement is that everyone recognised as a member under church records in Botswana shall be accepted back,” stated the order.
The order marks the first time in years that the divided church factions have formally agreed on a shared path forward.
Until now, disputes over leadership, registration, and membership had led to expulsions, accusations, and several pending court cases.
Both parties agreed that these cases, together with all accusations and counter-accusations surrounding the dispute, must be withdrawn immediately as part of the settlement.
The consent order records that a national meeting will be held at the church headquarters, and representatives from all congregations across the country are expected to attend.
“The fired leaders are to present as their attendance is key to giving legitimacy to the reconciliation process and to ensuring that the reintegration of fired members is recognised across the church structure,” said the court order.
Also, according to the order, Bishop Joseph Lekganyane is to be present at the meeting to be scheduled at the headquarters, which is to form the centre of the reconciliation effort.
Its purpose is reportedly to formally welcome the expelled members back into the church, to confirm that the 2016 constitution will guide all issues, and to demonstrate unity before the entire membership.
Another key part of the agreement is that church leaders will tour the country to promote reconciliation.
During this tour, they will invite the fired members to join them and take part in activities meant to restore peace within the church.
“The tour is expected to help rebuild relations between congregations and to show that all members are now equal under the agreed settlement,” explained the court order.
Both parties also confirmed before the judge that the church will comply with the Registrar of Societies.
This is because for several years, the church has faced challenges related to registration due to internal divisions and parallel claims to leadership.
The agreement now sets a clear path for compliance by ensuring there is one united body that can meet the requirements of the law.
The settlement highlighted the need for the church to harmonise its constitution with the laws of Botswana, as the parties agreed that people who will be admitted as members are those recognised under Botswana’s legal framework.
This is expected to resolve earlier disagreements about which list of members should be used and whether expelled individuals should be allowed back.
Initially, one faction had insisted that the fired members must reapply for membership.
The expelled group rejected this, arguing that re-application did not guarantee re-admission and could expose them to being rejected again.
Justice Kebonang advised the parties that continuing with litigation would prolong the conflict, increase costs, and divide the church further.
He urged them to find a settlement that restores peace and stability, and after extended discussions, the parties agreed that unconditional readmission was the only workable solution.
The consent order also removes the need for further court intervention, as the dispute will now be resolved internally under church structures. The withdrawal of cases clears the way for the church to move forward without being tied up in legal proceedings.
This is expected to ease pressure on the leadership and membership, who have long called for a solution that brings the church back together.
Members from both sides have described the agreement as a major step toward unity.
While tensions have been high, the court-facilitated settlement may help reverse years of division, and the inclusion of the Bishop in the reconciliation meeting is said to be significant, as his role could help restore confidence in the process among ordinary members.
The tour proposed by church leaders is expected to play an important part in healing relationships, as by travelling together, worshipping together, and inviting expelled members to join them, the leaders hope to send a strong message that the church is ready to move past the conflict.
The use of the 2016 constitution is another central point of the settlement. For years, there were disagreements about which constitutional document should govern the church.
Some members argued that certain amendments were not valid or that leadership structures had been altered without proper consultation. By choosing the 2016 constitution, a document accepted before the conflict intensified, both parties now have a baseline from which to rebuild.
The consent order is expected to reduce confusion around the status of the church under the Registrar of Societies.
With unity restored through the court, the church can now present a single leadership structure and a single membership list to the authorities, and this is expected to resolve past problems where different groups submitted competing applications or made conflicting claims about who was authorised to represent the church.
The judge noted that while the settlement marks a breakthrough, its success will depend on how the church implements it.
He explained to the church members that rebuilding trust, managing expectations, and ensuring transparency will be important, emphasising that the national meeting, the Bishop’s attendance, and the reconciliation tour are meant to address these challenges by showing a united leadership committed to peace.
As per the judge’s advice, the withdrawal of pending cases also signals a shift away from confrontational approaches, as for years, court cases were used as tools by both sides to challenge decisions, leadership claims, and disciplinary actions.
“Ending these cases sends a message that reconciliation is more important than victory. It also prevents future cases from reopening past disputes,” said the Kebonang.
Meanwhile, the church now faces the task of harmonising its constitution with Botswana’s laws, and this may involve reviewing leadership structures, election procedures, and governance rules to ensure they meet legal requirements. With both parties now working together, this process may be smoother than before.
The members who fully packed the High Court’s double setting said the consent order represents a rare moment of unity after years of division, with unconditional readmission, withdrawal of cases, a national reconciliation meeting, and a nationwide tour. The parties have committed themselves to rebuilding the church.
The members concluded that, as the order came through consent rather than court imposition, it reflects shared responsibility and mutual acceptance of a peaceful way forward.