Harare — THE United Church of Christ of Zimbabwe has excommunicated 15 executive members from Highfield and Chipinge parishes for practising mass prayers, in defiance of the church's doctrine.

The expulsion of the church members comes at a time when divisions over mass prayers have left the church on the brink of a rift.

UCCZ president Reverend Edward Matuvhunye wrote a letter this week to the affected members, informing them about the church's synod decision to fire them, "for introducing ways of worship which are contrary to the UCCZ ways of worship".

The synod comprises National Constitutional Assembly chairman Dr Lovemore Madhuku, who has been accused of teaming up with Rev Matuvhunye to purge proponents of mass prayer.

"The synod has now taken the decision to terminate the membership of any person, who, while not agreeing with the church's ways of worship, uses his/her membership to divide the church and destroy it," said Rev Matuvhunye in his letter.

"The following persons, who have been seeking to turn Highfield and Gaza extension UCCZ churches into a haven for their ways of worship, have now been expelled from UCCZ with effect from Monday 23 July 2007.

"They are no longer members of the UCCZ and no member of the UCCZ should treat them as members. By operation of our constitution, they also cease to be members of any of the church's spiritual councils."

The members are Mrs Lizzy Muzimbaranda, Mrs Lydia Ngonyamo, Mr Garikayi Mazangabona, Mrs Lillian Matikiti, Mr Andrew Dhlakama, Mr Blessing Nyamugama, Mr Samuel Matsiya, Mrs Sambo, Mr Shadreck Mhlanga, Mr Lucious Munhangi and Mr Antony Mtetwa.

The members have, however, described the decision as illegal as there was a High Court litigation relating to their fate which was still pending.

They said Rev Matuvhunye arrived last Sunday in the company of a delegation comprising Dr Madhuku, who is the national vice-moderator and disrupted the church services.

They said Rev Matuvhunye and Dr Madhuku wanted to conduct an election to choose a new executive, something they described as not only unprocedural but also illegal as that would be trying to subvert the legal process in the High Court.

They vowed to continue practising mass prayer.