NewsdzeZimbabwe Photo
Old Mutare Mission Property
Among the property seized from United Methodist Old Mutare Mission was a minivan used by the Fairfield Orphanage.
Property belonging to The United Methodist Church’s Old Mutare Mission was seized July 14 by a sheriff of the Zimbabwe High Court in a labor dispute with a former administrator whom the court says was unfairly dismissed two years ago.
Solar heaters, a minivan, office furniture from the mission office and vehicles belonging to Old Mutare Mission chairman, Rev. Dr. Chimbunde, and Mutasa District Superintendent Rev. Mutidzawanda were “attached,” as NewsdzeZimbabwe reported. The seizure was related to a $36,000 judgment against Old Mutare Mission and the church-related Fairfield Orphanage for unfairly terminating former administrator Luke Makawanya. The property is being stored at a warehouse in Mutare’s Nyakamete industrial area.
Mr. Makwanya was dismissed in 2015 for reasons unspecified by the mission board. He was given three months’ severance, but his contract was to have run through 2018. He sued the orphanage and the church for unfair dismissal and won his case.
The Rev. Allan Gurupira, administrative assistant to Zimbabwe Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, confirmed attachment of the property to NewsdzeZimbabwe.
“The issue you are talking about is still pending before the courts,” Mr. Gurupira said. “Yes, our property was attached at Old Mutare Mission because of one individual who was dismissed from the institution. The case has been dragging before the courts for some time now and this latest development has a huge bearing on the welfare of the children at Fairfield Orphanage.”
Attorneys for the church had petitioned for a stay of the writ of seizure, but it was denied. Appeals are pending.
Old Mutare Mission is a United Methodist Heritage Site, according to the General Commission on Archives and History. The mission was established in 1897 by Bishop Joseph C. Hartzell and officially opened two years later. United Methodist-related Africa University is located on 600 acres adjacent to Old Mutare.
Babyfold at Old Mutare Mission Fairfield Children’s Home is an Advance Project of The United Methodist Church, and has been supported by U.S. United Methodists for generations. It cares for homeless and abandoned children brought to it by the Zimbabwe Department of Child Welfare.