Two members of the Apostolic Faith Mission of Zimbabwe (AFMOZ) have approached the High Court seeking to nullify the church’s May 2025 election of president Reverend Cossam Chiangwa and three other senior leaders, arguing that they exceeded the constitutionally prescribed age limit of 65.
In an application filed in Harare under case HCH2288/26, Daniel Mhlanga and Dennis Maposa are asking the court to declare the election of Chiangwa, deputy president Reverend Amon Chinyemba, secretary-general Nathan Nhira and national administrator Shepherd Sebata invalid and order fresh elections within 90 days.
The applicants argue that the church constitution sets a maximum qualifying age of 65 for praesidium positions and that an attempt by the Apostolic Council in February 2025 to raise the limit to 70 was unlawful because it did not follow the constitutional amendment procedures.
According to court papers, the proposal was approved by the council despite resistance from some members. Mhlanga contends that the resolution effectively amended the constitution without the required notice, consultation and two-thirds approval process.
The applicants further argue that Chiangwa, Chinyemba and Nhira were over the age limit when elected, rendering them ineligible to contest. They reject the church leadership’s claim that the council merely “clarified” the constitution, insisting that “there is no interpretation which reads the number 65 as 70”.
Maposa said the age-limit change materially affected the integrity of the election process.
The pair are seeking a declaration that the February 2025 resolution was unlawful, confirmation that the maximum age remains 65, and an order setting aside the election of the four leaders. They also want fresh elections conducted under the constitution as it stood before the disputed resolution.
It remains unclear why the challenge was filed a year after the election. Mhlanga himself was elected Bulawayo West provincial administrator through the same electoral process he is now contesting.
Chiangwa confirmed the court case but said the church would not comment publicly while the matter is before the courts.
After the AFM’s 2018 split, AFMOZ retained what it calls the “original, unamended constitution,” which underpins the court challenge.
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