Assemblies of God loses court battle, slapped with punitive costs

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HARARE - The High Court of Zimbabwe has ordered Assemblies of God - Back to God (AoG-BTG) to pay punitive legal costs after it withdrew a case seeking to evict a rival church from a disputed property in Marondera.

AoG-BTG had taken Assemblies of God - Spiritual Movement (AoG-SM) to court over the occupation of Stand 2666T in Rujeko Township, claiming exclusive rights to the premises. However, during the trial, the plaintiff's main witness, Nathan Sethlako, failed to produce documentation proving ownership, including a lease or sale agreement.

After cross-examination exposed weaknesses in the case, AoG-BTG abruptly withdrew the summons, citing procedural hurdles. Justice Regis Dembure ruled that the withdrawal was an abuse of court process and awarded punitive costs against the plaintiff.

The judge warned litigants, particularly church leaders, against frivolous litigation that wastes court time and resources.