Church takes on Mzuzu City over stadium booking

New Apostolic Church is claiming a refund of over K1 million ($1 370) from Mzuzu City Council (MCC) after  it was denied to hold its function even after paying for the stadium.

The church booked the venue over a year ago to hold an international women’s conference, but the booking was cancelled to host the consecration of Father John Ryan as Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese.

President Peter Mutharika attended the function, which took place on August 27 2016.

The New Apostolic Church was forced to book a hall at Luwinga Secondary School.

The church’s Malawi North overseer, Apostle Foster Lungu, however, said on Wednesday they are yet to make a formal demand for the refund.

But he said it is only fair that the council refunds the money as the church never used the stadium.

Lungu said that the church was inconvenienced after being kicked out of the venue as it had to look for an alternative venue within a short time.

“We paid the city council money to use the stadium for four days. The money was paid in full, but we didn’t use the venue. It is only fair that the money be paid back.

“We are not claiming anything more than what we paid. Don’t you think it is fair that we have back the money?  We didn’t use the venue and, for the alternative venue, we also had to pay,” said Lungu.

Mzuzu City Council chief executive officer McCloud Kadammanja said the church threatened to take the council to court.

He said he will be in a position to provide more details after the church engages them.

“They said they want to take the matter to court. It will only be right to comment when they come back to us because they haven’t,” said Kadammanja

The conference brought together delegates from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to share knowledge on religious issues, business and other issues.