Political Reporter

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has been accused of trying to stage a coup against leaders of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church and install himself as the leader.

A source who spoke to this publication said Chamisa, a pastor by training, has been influencing the youths in AFM to defy the orders of the church leaders, whilst lobbying for his installation as the church president.

According to the source, Chamisa wanted to use AFM’s youth conference to be held in Masvingo between 7 and 10 April 2022, to influence the removal of Reverend Amon Madawo as AFM in Zimbabwe president.

“Following factional wrangles between Pastor Madawo and Reverend Cossam Chiyangwa, Chamisa has been positioning himself to overtake the two and emerge as the church president. He is using the youths to prop up his image and call for his installation as the church’s president,” said the source.

The source added that Chamisa had planned to attend the youth conference in Gotekwa, Masvingo, to influence the removal of Pastor Madawo as he often accuses him of being incompetent and lacking leadership skills needed to lead a church of the magnitude of AFM.

However, another source said that AFM members should not be hoodwinked by Chamisa as he was not an ordained pastor.

“Church members should not be hoodwinked by Chamisa. He was never ordained as a pastor in AFM Zimbabwe. He never sought ordination after he went to Living Waters Theological Seminary an AFM in Zimbabwe which trains all those who seek training regardless of their denominational affiliation,” said the source.

The same source added that Chamisa was tarnishing the image of the church as many people now view AFM a church that was involved in politics.

Efforts to get a comment from Chamisa were futile as his mobile phones were not reachable.