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The legal definition and meaning of Church in Zimbabwe

Notwithstanding the right and guarantee of freedom of religions in a diverse country such as Zimbabwe which has embraced various religions, including traditional African religion, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism and others there is no legislative enactment in Zimbabwe which regulates churches. Neither is there any legislative enactment or regulation which provides a definition of the term church. Be that as it may, the Supreme Court in the case of Church of the Province of Central Africa v Diocesan Trustees, Harare Diocese 2012 (2) ZLR 392 (S) defined church in Zimbabwe to mean:

“By definition a Church is a voluntary and unincorporated association of individuals united on the basis of an agreement to be bound in their relation to each other by certain religious tenets and principles of worship, government and discipline. The existence of a constitution is testimony to the fact that those who are members of the Church agree to be bound and guided in their behaviour as individuals or office – bearers on ecclesiastical matters by the provisions of the Constitution and the Canons made under its authority. It is the words and actions of the individuals as members and office bearers that indicate whether there is conformity with the articles of faith.”