The property wrangle between Harare resident Barnabas Chirenje and Bishop Oliver Chipunza of the Apostolic Flame Ministries yesterday took a nasty turn when the Messenger of Court stormed the disputed house in Westlea and evicted Chirenje’s family.

By The NewsDay | Apr. 14, 2015.
The Messenger of Court swooped on the property wielding a court order.

Chipunza accused Chirenje of illegally occupying stand number 5948 Westlea, where he has since built a four-bedroomed house.

On February 11 this year, the cleric won a default judgment, giving him sole ownership of the land and authority to evict Chirenje.

The property wrangle started late last year when Chipunza claimed he had been given the piece of land in question as “seed’ by an unidentified church member in 2008, while Chirenje claimed to have bought the same land in June 2012 from one Aubrey Chiuta Dube.

Chirenje’s family yesterday insisted they were the genuine owners of the property, adding their eviction was unjust.

“How can he (Chipunza) occupy a house he did not build?” Chirenje’s brother Charles queried.

“It is sad that the (Messenger of Court) officials only gave the family five minutes before they seized all the household property, leaving nothing, but clothes. What he (Chipunza) is doing is barbaric especially for a man of his standing. They took everything and his lawyer said they are occupying the house tomorrow (today).” The family has vowed to stay put inside the yard and challenge its eviction.

Bishop Oliver Chipunza Evicts Barnabas Chirenje and Family from His House

“We have nowhere to go. So I personally will rather die for that house because we invested a great deal for someone to just claim it is theirs,” Chirenje said.

Chirenje was not present when his family was evicted from the house and his mobile phone was switched off.

Meanwhile, Dube, who was cited by Chirenje as having sold the stand to him, yesterday distanced himself from the issue.

“Someone who was masquerading as me sold three stands, including this one, and I am still investigating the matter, but Chirenje should stop making these unfounded accusations before he is sued,” Dube said.

“The position is very clear that he never owned the property, but we are saying let us talk before he rushes to tell lies to the media.”