The letter dated 14th February 2022, to which IGIHE has a copy, was signed by six pastors including Claude DJessa, Dieudonné Vuningoma, Pierre Kaberuka, Richard Muya, Charles Mudakikwa and Paul Daniel Kakimunu.
They accuse Gitwaza of using Zion Temple for personal gains and poor conduct. The letter also reads that he has abandoned the church leaving it to a strange person which led to funds misuse and poor coordination.
The group of pastors informed Gitwaza that he is dismissed from the church’s leadership due to arrogance and fuelling ethnic divisionism among Zion Temple followers.
As he spoke to followers of Zion Temple during Sunday church service, Apostle Gitwaza reacted to the letter and thanked the Government for diligence in settling the issue.
“I stand here to thank our Government starting from President of the Republic and all government institutions for carefulness to strive for security that Rwandans deserve. You have seen letters asking me to resign this week, with intentions to dismiss me. All that happened worried us. However, we thank God that our country thoroughly analyzed the situation and rejected the unfounded allegations,” he said.
On allegations that he abandoned duties, Gitwaza told congregants he is opening new churches nowadays.
He was heard at different times telling followers that an apostle is someone who strives to spread the Gospel and launch churches in various places.
“As you know, I am opening new churches and my work continues. I will be back soon,” Gitwaza said.
The 50-year old man recently revealed that he planned to establish Zion Temple branches in 50 States of the United States of America (USA) in five years.
He has so far opened churches in six States including Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Arizona, Michigan and Texas where he has been staying.
Gitwaza was also accused of funds misappropriation.
Zion Temple owns numerous properties including five schools across the country, a health facility in Kicukiro district, Authentic Radio and Television as well as Authentic International Academy among others.
Gitwaza also responded to rumors that he might have fled the country after days without appearing in Rwanda.
“You should not lend your ears to people spreading rumours that Gitwaza fled, is summoned by RIB, that an arrest warrant was issued against him. I have never been summoned by RIB and don’t expect it to happen because I can’t deceive Rwandans and Rwanda,” he said.
Recently, Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) reacted to the letter requesting Gitwaza to resign informing the six pastors that their plea is unfounded adding that they do not have power to do so.
RGB also requested concerned leaders copied-in the letter to follow up the matter to ensure that nothing destabilizes the security of Zion Temple followers.
The pastors were also asked the pastors to stop protests against Gitwaza as soon as possible.
Gitwaza launched Zion Temple in 1999. Gitwaza started with 120 Christians that had increased to more than a million worldwide 2019 as he told IGIHE in 2019.
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