Tagwirei-Sanyatwe pulpit incident prompts legal ultimatum to SDA church heads

HARARE – A firestorm has erupted within the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Zimbabwe, sparked by controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei’s decision to invite former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander and Zanu-PF member Anselem Sanyatwe to speak from the pulpit during a recent evangelical campaign where he allegedly made ‘partisan political declarations’.

Advocate Thabani Mpofu, who claims to be a baptised member of the SDA Church, through his legal representatives Mtetwa & Nyambirai, has addressed a stern letter to the Executive Secretaries of the Zimbabwe East Union Conference (ZEUC) and the East Zimbabwe Conference (EZC), raising grave concerns about the “desecration of the pulpit” during an evangelical campaign dubbed “Operation Macedonia” on June 14, 2025 in Nyanga.

According to the letter, Tagwirei invited Sanyatwe to the pulpit without prior approval from ZEUC President Musara or EZC President Timuri, both of whom were reportedly in attendance.

Once on the pulpit, Sanyatwe is alleged to have stated that the ruling party would govern indefinitely, using the metaphor of “donkeys growing horns,” and to have derisively repeated this message despite prior disapproval from Advocate Mpofu.

Advocate Mpofu has asserted that this conduct constituted a “perverse and degenerate” act that tarnishes the church’s reputation and reduces it to a “political tool,” particularly as it occurred on what is considered the holy Sabbath of the Lord and during an evangelical campaign.

“The fact that this unthinkable irregularity was witnessed by the ZEUC and EZC presidents, themselves guardians of the pulpit and who failed to take corrective action in the face of the desecration and have still not done anything to date; has left our client completely puzzled.

“He cannot wrap his head round why his church could countenance the de-spiritualizing of the spiritual,” the lawyers stated.

“Our client contends that the misuse of the SDA pulpit on the holy Sabbath of the Lord is a violation and negation of the SID Working Policy, the ZEUC Constitution, the EZC Constitution, the SDA Church Manual as well the Holy Scriptures to whose authority the church unerringly yields.

“The fact that Messrs Musara and Timuri did nothing to arrest the desecration, did not stand to correct it and have still not done anything to this very day can only mean that they make common cause with it.”

The letter has specifically highlighted alleged breaches of:

SID Working Policy S 55 25 (Unauthorized Presentations and Solicitations): Arguing that the two presidents, as ministers, allowed an unauthorized person to use the pulpit.

SID Working Policy HA 15 05 (Biblical Perspectives): Contending that the church became “enmeshed in political considerations and controversies,” contrary to the principle that the church does not seek political involvement or economic advantage.

SID Working Policy C 55 10 (Professional Ethics): Stating that the presidents’ actions amounted to using their office for “partisan ends” and promulgating divisive politics.

SID Working Policy E 85 15 (Conditions Constituting Conflict): Accusing Messrs. Musara and Timuri of furthering “partisan political interests” by allowing the pulpit to be used for such purposes.

The letter has further cited several sections of the SDA Church Manual, emphasising that the pulpit is “not a forum for advocating disputed points” and must be reserved for the preaching of Divine Word truths and denominational plans, not “personal views and opinions” or “unauthorized speakers.”

It also stresses the importance of fostering “reverence, simplicity, good order, and decorum” in the church.

Advocate Mpofu also expressed “complete puzzlement” and “grave dismay” at the perceived inaction of Presidents Musara and Timuri, noting that they failed to take immediate corrective action or condemn the incident to date, which “can only mean that they make common cause with it.”

To uphold his rights and the church’s statutes and reputation, Advocate Mpofu has demanded a formal, sincere, and documented apology from both presidents to him and the entire church constituency.

Advocate Mpofu also demanded an immediate cessation of the church leadership’s association with the personal and political interests of its membership and that the two presidents “show cause why they should remain in office.”

Advocate Mpofu warned that if there is no satisfactory compliance within two working days, he will institute proceedings against the church and Messrs Musara and Timuri in their personal capacities, and will seek the joinder of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) and the General Conference of the SDA Church.

Tagwirei has been accused of dividing the SDA Church in Zimbabwe, forming alliances with pastors and elders and putting them on his payroll.