Africa-Press – Malawi. Moderator of CCAP’s Cape Town Congregation, Duncan Kananji, has written to Blantyre Synod challenging the procedure followed in disciplining some of its pastors over their conduct during prayers held at former president Peter Mutharika’s residence in February this year.
Last week, the synod’s disciplinary committee summoned six clerics who attended the prayers at Mutharika’s Page House in Mangochi to a disciplinary hearing.
Chairperson of the organising committee for the event, Chikondi Banda, was charged with three counts while five other pastors were summoned as his witnesses.
In his letter, however, Kananji questions the synod, saying that the hearing had several constitutional and procedural flaws which compromised the fairness and integrity of the process.
“The constitution of Blantyre Synod (Articles 3.3.12 & 11.3.3) stipulates that ministers are under the discipline of the presbytery court.
“It is only the elected synod official (Article 11.3.5) who is under the discipline of the synod court and can appear before the synod disciplinary subcommittee in the first instance,” Kananji says.
He adds that if Reverend Banda has a case to answer, it should be Domasi Presbytery, where he ministers, that pursues the matter as the synod serves as an appellate court.
The pastor adds that in legal contexts, an accuser or complainant is the person or body that initiates legal action or proceedings by alleging wrongdoing or a crime.
“In the present case, there is no clear complainant or accuser, unless you can convince me.
“For instance, who between the HRO [Human Resources Officer] and the discipline chairperson can provide sufficient information about the events that took place at Page House, as stated in the charge sheet which alleges that the accused used the slogan ‘DPP Woyeee’? Who is the accuser here?” Kananji questions.
The synod issued a letter after the prayers, disassociating itself from the event and asserting that it did not represent the views of the synod.
Speaking to us after the hearing, Banda said he had been charged with three counts including one alleging that he shouted ‘DPP Woyeee’ during the event.
When contacted for comment, Blantyre Synod General Secretary Anderson Juma said he had not yet seen the letter.
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