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Bishop Ndanga

Herald Reporters
Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) moderator Bishop Johannes Ndanga has denied accusations by some members of the organisation that he has been involved in fraud and corruption.

Bishop Ndanga said it was instead some of his deputies who were running individual housing cooperatives that were being accused of failing to deliver residential stands. He said the vote of no confidence passed in him recently was of no effect as it was baseless.

ACCZ vice president Bishop Erizari Jaramba and vice national chairperson Bishop Elliot Mugwambi were recently quoted as saying Bishop Ndanga had conned more than 20 000 followers of their money in botched housing stands deals and a vehicle scheme.

But Bishop Ndanga said it had come to his attention that the so-called housing scheme was being run by his accusers behind his back. He also said he had strongly advised against the vehicle scheme, but the other bishops went ahead to implement it without his involvement.

“I did not sell any residential stands to anyone,” He said. “The people who were selling stands using ACCZ’s name were not doing it from here (his office).

“As my vice, Mugwambi would go behind my back and operate the housing scheme in which he would take 20 percent from home seekers.

“These people then went to the media to tarnish my name while their purpose is all about fighting for the leadership of the organisation.”

Ndanga said Bishop Mugwambi and his crew were operating the car scheme in which they promised to deliver Toyota Quantum vehicles to people after they pay $500.

“I refused to be part of this after I questioned how someone could get a car after paying a paltry $500, but they went ahead and in the process duped some of our members who had paid for the supposed vehicles,” he said.

Documents in possession of The Herald show that Bishop Mugwambi was running a housing scheme in which people paid different amounts, but some did not get the residential stands after paying between $1 000 and $1 520.

Others were listed as having since relocated to South Africa, while many were left stranded.

Bishop Jaramba accused Bishop Ndanga of manipulating the constitution to make himself ACCZ life president.

But the moderator said his accusers were being used by politicians in a bid to oust him and the dispute was all about the leadership of the organisation.

“I have done a lot to improve the ACCZ and Jaramba and other disgruntled members are now jealousy and want me out,” he said. “Jaramba is not even a member of the ACCZ. He left the organisation four years ago and I am surprised over the allegations he is making against me. Jaramba is corrupt and this is why we forced him to leave four years ago,” he said.