The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has started investigating Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) president Archbishop Johannes Ndanga on allegations of defrauding over 20 000 followers of their money in botched housing stands and vehicle schemes.
This serious allegation of fraud and that of abusing office first came to surface in 2015, with the ACCZ executive alleging that it was being sidelined by Ndanga whom they accuse of making unilateral decisions.
“The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating a case of fraud as defined in section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) Chapter 9:23 that was reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission,” according to a letter written by ZACC recently to officials from the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe.
“I hereto allude to the meeting that was held at my office with Bishop Komichi, Rev Manongwa, Pastor Dzvene and three investigation officers namely Masimba, Ndlovu and Jere in the same matter from which we resolve that the three elders of the church should go and collect the information from all their members who paid money towards some residential stands and did not get (them).
“This will facilitate further investigations and you will be advised of our progress as investigations continue,” reads the ZACC letter.
ACCZ-then Vice president, Bishop Erizari Jaramba says Ndanga misrepresented to the followers that he was organising housing stands for the followers and collected thousands of dollars from members who joined the ACCZ Housing Development Trust.
They also accused Ndanga of collecting money from his followers which he said was meant to buy state-of-the-art vehicles for the church.
The ACCZ vice-national chairperson Bishop Elliot Mugwambi encouraged all members who have been contributing money towards any of the dubious projects to bring their proof of payment.
Some members of the executive passed a vote of no confidence in Bishop Ndanga saying he was defeating the purpose of the creation of the organisation by bringing the ACCZ into disrepute.
The Vapositori allege that Ndanga cannot account for 200 stands allocated by the local government for bishops in Masvingo, Chiredzi and Beitbridge.
They also accuse him of defrauding the organisation of $50 000 part of it meant to pay the National Railways of Zimbabwe for carrying the members from Bulawayo to Harare for a prayer meeting, a case NRZ sought court’s relief of in 2015.
Sources: Herald, ZBC News
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