Bail hearing for the leader of a faction of the Johanne
Marange Apostolic Church, Noah Taguta, in custody after being arrested for
contravening sections of the Public Order and Security Act, was yesterday
deferred to tomorrow by Mutare magistrate Mr Hosiah Mujaya.
The
hearing was on Monday set for yesterday but the matter was deferred because the
presiding magistrate, Mr Tsungisai Madzivaidze was not present due to pressing family
matters.
Mr
Shepherd Mushonga of Mushonga and Associates is representing Taguta while Mr
Mike Tembo is appearing for the State.
Charges
against Taguta are that on May 30 this year his faction clashed with a rival
faction led by Clement Momberume over their headquarters in Manicaland.
During
the clash, ten people were injured and property and cash worth $34 million was
destroyed.
The clash
comes barely a year after the High Court issued a court order granting the two
rival factions permission to use the shrine in Bocha, Mutare, which they regard
as the Marange Apostolic Church headquarters for prayer related activities.
The
ruling was passed by Justice Smith who interdicted Taguta and all people acting
under his authority from barring members of the church from attending the
annual festival at the shrine.
He said:
"The respondent (Taguta) and all people acting under his authority shall
not prevent members of the Johanne Marange from using the church's toilet
facilities, water and structures built by the church at the shrine."
Two years
ago the same court issued a consent order to settle a wrangle between Taguta
and Mr Israel Ruwoko, the church's secretary general, after similar clashes.
This
year’s clash was allegedly sparked by the arrival of Momberume's faction that
intended to use the shrine until June 2 to prepare for the annual general
meeting that was scheduled for sometime in June.