A church called the Gospel of God Church International has gone to the highest court in Zimbabwe. They want to change a decision that allows two brothers to move their father's body from where it lies buried.
The father was a very important religious leader named Peter Jack Masedza, but many people called him Johane Masowe. He died in Zambia in 1973 when he was 59 years old. People brought his body back to Zimbabwe and buried him at a special holy place called the Gandanzara Shrine near Rusape.
His two sons, Magaga and Reuben Masedza, asked for permission to move their father's body because the church stopped them from visiting his grave. Last week, a lower court said the brothers had the right to move their father. The church became upset and asked a higher court to change this decision.
The church believes it owns the holy place where Johane Masowe is buried. They say another court told them this many years ago. They also say Johane Masowe wanted to stay buried there forever, though he never wrote this down.
The judge who made the first decision, Justice Chitapi, said the brothers can move their father if they follow all the proper rules. But he did not order anyone to help them do it. He just said they have the right to try.
This argument means a lot to both sides. The church has kept Johane Masowe's grave as a special place for over fifty years. The brothers want to honor their father in their way. Mr. Nickiel Mushangwe, the lawyer helping the brothers, thinks the court made the right choice.
The story of this church started in 1932 when Johane Masowe first became a religious leader. The place where he lies buried means everything to the people who follow his teachings. The highest court must decide what happens next in this important case about family rights and religious beliefs.
The father was a very important religious leader named Peter Jack Masedza, but many people called him Johane Masowe. He died in Zambia in 1973 when he was 59 years old. People brought his body back to Zimbabwe and buried him at a special holy place called the Gandanzara Shrine near Rusape.
His two sons, Magaga and Reuben Masedza, asked for permission to move their father's body because the church stopped them from visiting his grave. Last week, a lower court said the brothers had the right to move their father. The church became upset and asked a higher court to change this decision.
The church believes it owns the holy place where Johane Masowe is buried. They say another court told them this many years ago. They also say Johane Masowe wanted to stay buried there forever, though he never wrote this down.
The judge who made the first decision, Justice Chitapi, said the brothers can move their father if they follow all the proper rules. But he did not order anyone to help them do it. He just said they have the right to try.
This argument means a lot to both sides. The church has kept Johane Masowe's grave as a special place for over fifty years. The brothers want to honor their father in their way. Mr. Nickiel Mushangwe, the lawyer helping the brothers, thinks the court made the right choice.
The story of this church started in 1932 when Johane Masowe first became a religious leader. The place where he lies buried means everything to the people who follow his teachings. The highest court must decide what happens next in this important case about family rights and religious beliefs.
