Police Halt Rival Church Services as MRC Leadership Dispute Erupts in Rusape

Tensions boiled over at the Methodist Revival Church (MRC) in Rusape last Sunday after two rival factions attempted to hold separate worship services in the same building, forcing police to intervene and suspend proceedings. The confrontation involved supporters loyal to MRC founder Phillip Mupindu and a breakaway faction led by Philemon Munyaradzi Chamburuka, whose leadership has been at the centre of a protracted dispute within the church.

Eyewitnesses said both groups gathered early in the day, each determined to proceed with its own service despite the ongoing legal dispute.

“It was tense from the start. Both sides were singing and trying to outdo each other before police arrived,” said a congregant who requested anonymity. “People feared it could turn violent.”

Officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police Rusape Urban unit moved in to separate the groups and halt all activities.

“We cannot allow this to continue because it might end in chaos,” said Sergeant Major Ngangu after engaging leaders from both factions. “A church should not operate this way.”

The leadership wrangle dates back several years to a period when Bishop Mupindu suffered a stroke, creating a power vacuum that led to internal divisions. Although he has since recovered and resumed duties, the dispute has escalated into a legal battle over control of church assets and authority.

In a ruling delivered on October 23, 2024, High Court judge Rodgers Foroma Manyangadze ordered the Chamburuka-led faction to surrender all church assets, including the Rusape premises, to the Mupindu-led leadership. The judgment also barred the breakaway group from using the MRC name, symbols, and insignia, effectively nullifying Chamburuka’s claim to the bishopric.

However, the faction is accused of defying the court order by continuing to occupy church properties and conduct services under the MRC banner. A subsequent attempt to overturn the ruling through a rescission application in November 2024 was struck off the roll.

MRC Board of Trustees coordinator Itai Zvenyika Munyoro said the church is now pursuing legal enforcement measures, including engaging the Sheriff’s office to recover assets and initiating contempt of court proceedings.

“These steps are necessary to uphold the rule of law and protect the church’s identity,” Munyoro said.

He alleged that enforcement efforts have been slowed by resistance on the ground and procedural challenges. According to Munyoro, police requested additional authorisation documents despite being presented with court orders.

“That has made it difficult for us to fully reclaim control of the premises,” he added.

Despite the police intervention, members aligned to the Chamburuka faction reportedly continued with parts of the disrupted service, led by local leaders in his absence. The standoff reflects deeper divisions within the church, with congregants increasingly split between competing leadership structures. Religious governance experts say such disputes often extend beyond doctrine into control of assets, influence, and institutional legitimacy.

“When leadership disputes become legal battles, congregants are often the most affected, as places of worship turn into contested spaces,” said a Harare-based church governance analyst.

Authorities have since halted all services at the Rusape church pending further engagement with both factions. Police say the move is aimed at preventing further clashes while legal processes unfold. The incident underscores a growing institutional crisis within the MRC, as unresolved leadership disputes continue to disrupt worship and divide communities.

Methodist Revival Church dispute