1 July 2019 | Zimbabwe’s The Sunday Mail has reported that the president of the North Zimbabwe Conference of the Adventist denomination is under investigation for fraud.

In a June 23 news story, the paper claims that denominational auditors are investigating a claim that Pastor Albert Mangwende misused church funds, pocketing USD 20,000.

“Indeed, we have an issue which involves Pastor Mangwende, but it is still under investigation. Therefore, I can’t disclose much, lest it disturbs the investigation,” said the executive secretary of Zimbabwe East Union, Pastor Zibusiso Ndlovu, according to The Sunday Mail.

“As many may be aware, SDA is a big church with a structure that has certain set standards to be adhered to and when one then fails to do so, it raises a lot of concerns.

“In our church, calling for an audit is open for everyone as long as they follow the proper procedures and state their case well,” said Ndlovu.

Mangwende himself confirmed the existence of the investigation to The Sunday Mail.

“Yes, I am under audit although I have not received any official communication to enlighten me on what I am being accused of and any other details of what is really happening,” said the leader.

“I know how I have conducted myself for the 18 months I have been in this office with regards to church funds and I am not fazed by the audits.

“This could have something to do with the evil-spirited elements who seek to tarnish my image and cause alarm within the church,” he said.

According to the denomination’s Office of Archives, Statistics and Research, the North Zimbabwe Conference of the Adventist Church had 396 churches and 159,017 members on June 30, 2018.

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