RCZ congregants, leaders clash over ‘missing’ funds

Source: RCZ congregants, leaders clash over ‘missing’ funds -Newsday Zimbabwe

SOME Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) congregants in Masvingo have clashed with the church leadership for failing to decisively deal with the case of a top reverend who misappropriated funds.

An audit that was conducted at the Masvingo RCZ between January 2022 and April 2023 by a team led by senior internal auditor, Amon Manjovha Manjovha, uncovered the alleged misuse of church funds.

According to a report seen by NewsDay, a senior reverend (name supplied) did not sign many payment vouchers from May 2021 to February this year involving US$18 474, ZAR 6 790 and $831 738.

A letter leaked by the Masvingo congregants indicates that the RCZ leadership fears the church leader.

“Despite all the overwhelming evidence and confirmation by the audit team that indeed the reverend is not holy in his practices, with the rev himself admitting in writing, it is believed that church leaders are afraid of the reverend such that they cannot take any disciplinary action against him,” the church members said.

“In Gweru, congregants forced him out of the church premises and dumped his belongings at the church’s headquarters in Masvingo.

“Congregants at Masvingo are currently boycotting church services until the church leadership reassigns him to another congregation, which the church leaders seem to be afraid to do.”