Banks sucked into Anglican saga

By Fungai Kwaramba

HARARE – The Anglican Church saga has sucked in top banking and lending organisations with the Church of the Central Province of Africa (CPCA) demanding that institutions such as the Standard Chartered Bank ensure that defrocked clergyman Nolbert Kunonga returns money he inherited and assets he took over during his five-year reign.

A “Writ of Delivery Up” from the High Court obtained by the CPCA Banks sucked into Anglican saga cites the Standard Chartered Bank, Imara Asset Management, Kingdom Asset management and Tetrad Securities along with dethroned clergyman Nolbert Kunonga as defendants.

“You are required and directed that, without delay you cause the following movable goods namely a Mazda 626 registration number 646-832C, a Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Hilux single cab and further cause the delivery of all Plaintiff’s assets of whatever nature in the possession of 1st and 7 defendants, to be returned to the Church of the Province of Central Africa,” reads part of the writ.

Raymond Moyo, of Gill, Godlonton and Gerrans said the financial institutions are involved in the messy case because “they were holding certain accounts and investments on behalf of the CPCA.

“We are following due process and that includes recovery of movable properties and also accounting for everything. We do not know how much these institutions have because there has been no accounting up to now.”

Kunonga is the 1st defendant with his surrogates. The others are Standard Chartered Bank, Imara Asset Management, Kingdom Asset management and Tetrad Securities are listed as 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th defendants respectively.

Since Monday, Kunonga and the Anglican Church have been wrestling over control of property with the Zanu PF-aligned priest refusing to leave the Anglican Church properties notwithstanding the court ruling that saw him lose his foothold.

The bashful Kunonga is also hiring bouncers to scuttle the CPCA from taking over. He even threatened journalists with a gun.

Despite the fact that Kunonga has engaged bouncers, the Anglican Church has been able to take over the Cathedral and All Saints properties which have served as the bastion of the ex-communicated bishop for the past five years.

Last week, Kunonga lost control of the Anglican Church properties after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the CPCA setting aside a previous judgment that had been granted in favour of the ex-communicated bishop by the High Court.

Far from the smooth hand-over takeover of properties that was envisaged by the CPCA, Kunonga and his surrogates have been reluctant to engage their former allies-turned-foes.

The CPCA alleges that Kunonga has looted church properties during his controversial reign and a cursory inventory revealed that the Zanu PF churchman was not settling utility bills.

Kunonga’s eviction continued with the messenger of court roping in riot police after his followers had locked themselves inside CPCA properties on Number 101 Central Avenue in Harare. Daily News