By MILDRED KATONGO –
THERE was confusion at the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Chifubu Congregation yesterday after members locked doors demanding the removal of their reverend.
The confusion delayed the services as the order of worship was not followed.
A check yesterday found members standing outside the church building, waiting to be addressed by the church leadership.
Reverend in-charge Shadrick Mulenga was booed by the angry members when he tried to address them.
The church building was surrounded by Police officers, who wanted to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
Church members spoken to said they no longer needed the services of their reverend in-charge accusing him of not being a good leader.
Muswake Chanshi accused Reverend Mulenga of not dialoguing with the leadership at the church, a situation that angered the members.
Mr Chanshi alleged that Reverend Mulenga wanted to remove the treasurer from his position without the consent of the church members.
“We, members do not want Reverend Mulenga anymore because he does not want to dialogue with leaders. You can imagine that he wants to remove the treasurer from his position without the consent of members. We still want the treasurer to maintain his position,” he said.
He said the confusion started on Saturday when Reverend Mulenga wanted to remove the treasurer from his position without any reasons and the consent of the members.
Mr Chanshi said the reverend then called the police accusing the members of wanting to beat him up.
He said there was no need for the presence of police officers at the church building and bemoaned that some church members were apprehended and later released.
UCZ Copperbelt Presbytery Bishop, Sydney Sichilima was not available for a comment.