Chimwemwe Mhango’s dismissal widens synod cracks

Cracks have widened in Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod of Livingstonia with Kanengo congregation in Lilongwe strategising to dump the church in protest of Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango’s dismissal.

Mhango, a senior minister, who served for 21 years, was dismissed on Monday after he and the congregation protested his transfer from Kanengo to Euthini in Mzimba. They argued the transfer was premature as it came midway into his four-year tenure.

According to Mhango, for one to be removed they must have committed an offence, been promoted or going for studies.

Mhango, who was posted in March 2012, still had close to two years to serve when the synod decided to transfer him, suspected foul play.

The congregation held vigil at the synod offices in Mzuzu and obtained an injunction to stop Mhango’s transfer. However, the synod went ahead to dismiss the reverend with the injunction in force.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Kanengo congregation’s deacon’s court clerk, Rose Ng’oma, said the congregation is ready to dump Livingstonia Synod and operate under another name.

Said Ng’oma: “If he has been dismissed, he has been dismissed because of us. We already warned them that should anything happen to him, we will leave the church.”

Synod moderator Douglas Chipofya said he was not aware of the injunction barring the removal of Mhango.

Said Chipofya: “Kanengo members are at liberty to express their views, but Mhango ceases to be a reverend.”