Mugabe's bishop faces church court

By Lance Guma
24 August 2005

Anglican bishop for Harare, Nolbert Kunonga, a staunch defender of Robert Mugabe was dragged before an ecclesiastical court on Tuesday. It is the first time in a hundred years that a bishop in Africa has faced prosecution by his own peers. He is facing 11 different charges including incitement to murder, intimidating and improperly firing priests, ignoring church laws and misusing funds meant for the diocese. In a hearing held at a golf clubhouse close to state house Kunonga was not asked to enter a formal plea as the trial began with preliminary proceedings.

Bishop Kunonga is accused of inciting members of the Central Intelligence Organisation and war veterans to kill 10 prominent Anglicans including priests and church wardens. The charge was temporarily withdrawn after he refused to answer to evidence submitted via video link as the key witness, Father James Mukunga fled to the UK soon after being abducted and beaten up. It is still possible the prosecution might get him testify from the safety of neighbouring Malawi.

If found guilty Kunonga can be expelled, defrocked or just merely reprimanded. He also has the right to appeal within the global community of the Anglican Church if the Church of Central Africa find him guilty. Archbishop Bernard Malanga, head of the Church in Central Africa, appointed Malawian Supreme Court Judge James Kalaile to hear the case with Zambian bishops Leonard Mwenda and Albert Chama assisting.

James Matizha who is defending Kunonga won an adjournment until Thursday, claiming the charges had been changed at the last minute. This is despite the charges having been laid two years ago. The election of Kunonga as Bishop is shrouded in controversy after allegations that he used his influence within Zanu PF to rise to that position and fired priests who opposed his appointment. He was rewarded with two farms by government for his ‘see no evil hear no evil’ approach. The long running saga has seen parishioners demonstrating against him during church services and the matter even spilling into the courts.