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God's case, no appeal
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
November 20, 2012

In a landmark ruling that left hundreds of persecuted Anglican worshipers celebrating in Harare yesterday, the Supreme Court finally booted-out the infamous Nolbert Kunonga and his surrogates off the property of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa. Nolbert Kunonga, a serious ZANU PF supporter and top critic of homosexuality had earlier on been granted temporary custody of the property in which Justice Ben Hlatshwayo decreed that he was indeed the rightful owner for the diocese of Harare. Despite the pending court appeals by the CPCA led by Bishop Chad Gandiya, and much to the surprise of the majority of peace loving Christian community, Kunonga went on a serious reign of terror, taking over all the property a July 24 high court ruling. In his escapades, he enjoyed much diplomatic immunity coupled with the unwavering support of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Parishioners were living in perpetual fear for at any time, Kunonga's people who had one similar identification, ZANU PF regalia together with the Z.R.P would come at any time to displace them. Anglican Mission schools, hospitals and orphanages were not spared together with the staff manning these institutions.

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied

Whilst many people are celebrating the victory of the Gandiya Church, CHRA remains disturbed by the manner in which this case has been handled. So many irregularities surround this case hence we are putting them on the public domain for everyone to interrogate.

1. On what basis did Justice Ben Hlatshwayo find it proper to rule in favour of Kunonga and go on to argue that there is no need for a trial save for the need to agree on who pays for the litigation costs?

2. After this ruling, can the ZRP locate itself in this whole saga, as a microcosm of its broader allegations on service based on political and economic interest?

3. What happens to the Anglican victims of state sanctioned violence which was propagated at the hands of the ZRP and some non state militia?

4. Is our justice system tight enough to safeguard and protect the nation, if it takes 5 years to complete a case in which people are being persecuted and properties being taken, surely justice delayed is in a way denied.

Lesson learnt

Evil has no authority over good, those that live by the gun shall surely die by the gun!

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