MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE– A war of words has erupted between two law firms representing opposing sides in a labor dispute pitting the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) and one of its former employees, Pikisai Mhizha.
In a strongly worded letter Mutandiro, Chitsanga and Chitima Attorneys, who are representing the RCZ, have accused Mhizha’s legal counsel from Chitsa & Masvaya Law Chambers, of making threats and using “venom” in their correspondence.
They claimed to have reported Chitsa and Mashaya Law Chambers to the Law Society of Zimbabwe.
The dispute centers around Mhizha’s suspension and the church’s refusal to reinstate him or pay his outstanding salary.
Mhizha’s counsel alleged that Mutandiro, Chitsanga and Chitima Attorneys have a conflict of interest, as they were “illegally appointed” to the disciplinary process.
“The starting point is that both you and Mr. Makururu were illegally appointed to be part of the disciplinary process.
“The Synodical Committee which is the highest organ of the church in between Synod sessions did not appoint you into its disciplinary committee(s) and neither did it approve of your involvement in the matter at any time,” reads part of the letter in possession of The Midweek Watch.
They further claimed that the RCZ lawyers have been misleading the church leaders against reinstating Mhizha or reaching an amicable settlement, citing their “high prospects of success on appeal.”
They added that on November 22, 2024, Mutandiro, Chitsanga and Chitima Attorneys traveled to Masvingo to address a Synodical Committee meeting, where they made “false and disparaging statements” about their client.
In their letter, Mhizha’s counsel also demanded that the RCZ lawyers recuse themselves from further involvement in the church’s affairs and has offered to refer the case to a second and third legal opinion in an effort to resolve the dispute through dialogue and an amicable settlement.
They added that the protracted legal battle could financially and reputationally damage the R.C.Z.
However, Mutandiro, Chitsanga and Chitima Attorneys have denied these allegations, stating that Chitsa & Masvaya’s correspondence “lacks substance and is full of threats and venom.”
Adding that it was “unexpected of a legal practitioner”.
