A novice pastor with the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe church last week torched part of the Waterfalls Assembly property following a dispute with some church leaders over his employment.

Police Spokesman Inspector Andrew Phiri yesterday confirmed that part of the office furniture was burnt before a receptionist called for help.

A receptionist was injured when the petrol inferno engulfed the church.

The fire was however, quickly extinguished before it caused extensive damage.

"The pastor is now facing arson charges and will appear in court soon," Insp Phiri said.

He said they had not yet established the value of property that was damaged.

The pastor graduated from Bible College in 2000. After his graduation, the church overseer is believed to have promised that he would immediately be employed at one of the assemblies. The promise never materialised.

The disgruntled young pastor, carrying a bottle of petrol, visited the Waterfalls Assembly last Thursday demanding to have the matter resolved but found the pastor at that church in a meeting.

But the patience of the new pastor ran out while waiting at the reception area and he sprinkled the petrol on the computers and some furniture before he set the office ablaze.

A church member who was present when the pastor went on rampage said he threatened to burn down the whole church if favouritism persisted in the church.

"The pastor said he had had enough of the senior church members' half truths and crooked ways," he said.

Efforts to get a comment from the church officials were fruitless yesterday.