THE Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA), which inherited a huge debt and dilapidated infrastructure from excommunicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga, has embarked on a massive rebuilding exercise.
REPORT BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
The church’s infrastructure collapsed after it was forcibly occupied by Kunonga until last year when the wrangle ended.
CPCA Bishop Chad Gandiya said the church had started a massive reconstruction exercise to repair the damage that was caused by five years of total neglect. The exercise involves renovating all church building, houses and schools owned by the church.
“Our education secretary is working with the heads of our schools on renovating those schools and improving them,” Gandiya said.
The church split in 2007 with Kunonga leading the breakaway faction that seized most of the church properties and bank accounts.
However, the courts last year ordered Kunonga and his followers to vacate the church properties.
Gandiya said the church recently completed a feasibility study on some of its properties, and intends to build a conference and a convention centre in Ruwa that will include health and lifestyle facilities.
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“The convention centre will cost roughly about US$5 million, the wedding venue and outdoor camp roughly about US$2 million,” said Gandiya. “For the conference and the convention centre with health and lifestyle facilities we will have to take loans. We are applying for grants.”
He said the church was committed to improving the lives and health of people in Zimbabwe; not only those in the rural areas but also those in the towns.
On the church’s debt, Gandiya said the church was liaising with the Harare City Council and the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) on how to pay the outstanding amount estimated at over US$300 000.
Kunonga had also seized colleges, schools owned by the church, sometimes leasing the facilities out and collecting rentals.
