Guta Ra Mwari withdraws case against members
Mpho Mokwape | Thursday December 1, 2016 16:36
However, yesterday, the church’s lawyer Othusitse Mbeha told the High Court that they had decided to withdraw the application on grounds that the church members had raised points in limine that need to be considered. Points in limine refer to motions made before a trial begins.
“As a matter of consideration, my clients have agreed for now to withdraw the case and re-visit the application again as the members have raised points very crucial to the application,” he said.
Earlier this year, the Guta Ra Mwari branch filed a notice of motion before the Gaborone High Court demanding that eight members stop identifying themselves as church members, and stop worshipping under the church banner.
The eight members, Caxton Senyatso, Joel Kelebemang, Kgalemang Mothudi, Kuda Mathambo, Sethapa Mathiba, Shirley Golekanye, Festus Tyibilika and Bushi Kenosi are all former members of the church’s National Council. They were accused of refusing to hand over power to the new council.
In its documents, the church alleged that attempts made had been in vain to resolve the matter amicably.
The church had also wanted the respondents to be interdicted from “acting in such a manner suggesting they are a branch of the church”, and “holding prayer meetings or any other service on behalf of the church”.
“Also, that the members stop making financial transactions, representing the church in any sort, hand over church assets and stop using symbols of worship and regalia,” the documents read.
Guta Ra Mwari church was founded in 1964 in Zimbabwe and its headquarters are in Bulawayo. It operates here only as a branch and has no autonomy from the mother church.