Court nullifies United Baptist Church elections over unlawful delegate vetting
The Zimbabwe High Court has nullified the United Baptist Church's national executive elections due to the unlawful vetting and disqualification of delegates. The court ordered fresh elections to be held within two months.
Why it matters
This ruling reinforces the importance of constitutional adherence and democratic processes within private institutional governance.
The High Court has nullified the United Baptist Church of Zimbabwe’s national executive elections after ruling that church leaders unlawfully vetted and disqualified delegates nominated by local churches and district assemblies.
Justice Sijabuliso Siziba, sitting in Mutare on September 7 and 8, 2026, ordered the church to hold fresh elections within two months, saying its National Committee had no constitutional authority to disqualify duly nominated delegates.
The dispute arose from the National Assembly held at UBC Chikanga Church in Mutare on March 29, 2025, where Austin Mabhena and Irvin Moyo were replaced as president and vice-president by Peter Manzanga and John Mazuwa.
A group of church members led by Godfrey Jiyamwa challenged the elections, arguing that the then National Committee had improperly vetted and disqualified delegates who had been nominated by churches to represent them at the crucial meeting.
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