Livingstonia CCAP Synod suspends Rev Chimwemwe Mhango

• Mhango is rebellious -Nyondo

Livingstonia Synod of the CCAP has suspended Rev Chimwemwe Mhango from the synod citing rebellious acts.

The Synod General Secretary Reverend Levi Nyondo confirmed to Malawi News Agency (Mana) on today (Tuesday) that Mhango has been suspended because he was not following the Synod’s rules and regulations.

“Yes, it is true we have suspended Rev Mhango because he is rebellious. He was not following rules and regulations of the Synod,” he said.

Nyondo added that one of the reasons for Mhango suspension is that he has not followed the Synod order to be transferred to Ekwendeni Mission.

He said Mhango has refused to follow Synod rules to be transferred to Ekwendeni Mission.

“His future with the Synod lies in his hands; if he confesses that he was rebellious and that he will start following rules and regulations of the Synod, we will welcome him back; but for the mean time, he is not the Synod minister,” Nyondo said.

Speaking in an interview with Mana, Mhango, who ministers at Kanengo Congregation, confirmed the development.

“I don’t know whether to call it a dismissal or a suspension but I have been told that am no longer a minister of the synod,” he said.

“What I know is that first I was transferred to Ekwendeni and then later to Euthini but my congregation protested my transfer by obtaining a court injunction,” he added.

Mhango was ordained on April 24, 1994 and has served as a minister for various congregations up to date. He is also a renowned gospel musician and president of the Musicians Union of Malawi (MUM).

Last year in September, the Synod issued a transfer notice to Mhango to move to Ekwendeni Mission but his congregation protested by obtaining the court injunction.

The congregation also travelled all the way from Lilongwe to Mzuzu in two buses to deliver a petition to the Synod secretariat.

Rev Mhango then explained that normally there are three reasons for transferring a pastor: a pastor going for further studies; committing a sin; and the Synod’s general transfer of various pastors.

He said none of the stated reasons was applicable in his case adding that this was the reason why his congregation protested the transfers.

Asked on his next move, Mhango said he will seek God’s guidance through prayers first before making any decision on the matter.

“What I know is that I have not sinned and I have not wronged anybody; I’ll pray to God for his guidance,” he said sounding calm in the telephone interview.

**Reporting by Salome Gangire