The Zion Christian Church Z.C.C. Moria in Zimbabwe entered Zimbabwe at different times depending on who brought it into each area, since those who came were in different groups and were commonly referred to as “men from Rhodesia.” Some of the names mentioned include Makamba, David Masuka, Andreas Shoko, and Samuel Mutendi.

In Zimbabwe, there are many churches called Z.C.C., commonly known as Zion or Zionists. The Z.C.C organization does not criticize other churches, whether they are Z.C.C or not, because they believe they all worship the same God.

In this section, we focus on the Z.C.C that came into Zimbabwe under the leadership of Engenas Samuel Mutendi, who was born in Bikita. He went to Johannesburg, South Africa, in the 1920s during the time when many people traveled there to work in the mines. He went with his friend Andreas Shoko. While there, they were baptized by Engenas Lekganyane into the Zion Church in Transvaal (Bucher, 1980).

Around 1923, they returned to Zimbabwe to Bikita and began preaching. Among those they led were Joram Gwayi, Saul Mukavhi, Chikati, Pakai Shiri, Paul Muchada Govere, and others.

As the work continued, trials arose within the church at Bikita, leading to a split in 1947. Samuel Mutendi later established his own headquarters at Mutarara in Bikita in the 1950s.

At that time, the Z.C.C of Mutendi grew rapidly because apartheid rulers in South Africa had confined Black people and discouraged them from traveling frequently to Johannesburg, fearing rebellion. This restriction prevented many from going to Moria and instead allowed Mutendi’s Z.C.C branch to grow in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).

Joram Gwayi was appointed by Engenas Lekganyane to lead Z.C.C across Zimbabwe. He later established his own center not far from Mutarara in Bikita. Joram Gwayi first went to Johannesburg in 1923 while still a young man. He worked driving donkeys transporting valuable minerals such as gold from Mvuma to Mussina. He married in 1927.

He went to Moria in 1932 and returned together with Samuel Mutendi.

In 1947, difficulties at Mutarara in Bikita caused another split. After separating from Samuel Mutendi, Bishop Edward Lekganyane personally came to Bikita and appointed Joram Gwayi as leader of Z.C.C in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), since some Zion members were no longer going to Moria. The church was registered under file number FR03, showing that it was a branch of Z.C.C Moria.

Joram Gwayi passed away on 2 December 1978. His son Lyphios Gwayi succeeded him in 1984.

Before his death, Joram Gwayi had remained with ministers such as Saul Mukavhi, Josiah Mazengwa, Chikati, Pakai Shiri, and Paul Muchada Govere after the 1947 separation from Mutendi’s group.

This group, led by Joram Gwayi, later also split due to issues regarding Z.C.C Moria regulations. Joram Gwayi insisted that they follow Moria practices, including not using drums and only performing the Mokhukhu dance. Some members, including Saul Mukavhi, Shiri, Govere, and Mazengwa, disagreed, arguing that Zion worship should incorporate African cultural traditions.

As a result, Saul Mukavhi, Josiah Mazengwa, Pakai Shiri, and Paul Govere formed their own group and traveled to Moria independently. Pakai Shiri led this group, followed by Paul Govere, then Saul Mukavhi. Josiah Mazengwa served as Saul Mukavhi’s deputy.

Saul Mukavhi himself had gone to South Africa in the 1920s when Zimbabwe was still called Rhodesia.

After the 1947 split at Mutarara, Mukavhi remained as a pastor under Joram Gwayi, who had been appointed by Lekhanyane to replace Samuel Mutendi after Mutendi chose not to continue working under Edward Lekhanyane, who had succeeded Engenas Lekhanyane in 1948.

Saul Mukavhi was strongly supported by Josiah Pudurai Mazengwa, who served as his chief priest for many years.

Josiah Mazengwa passed away on 19 July 1974. His shrine is located in Ward 6, Bikita District, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe, and is currently led by his son, Simion Mazengwa.

Over time, Samuel Mutendi, Pakai Shiri, Paul Muchada Govere, Saul Mukavhi, and Josiah Mazengwa all passed away, leaving their children to continue God’s work:

• Samuel Mutendi was succeeded by his son Dr. Nehemia Mutendi.

• Joram Gwayi was succeeded by his son Lyphios Gwayi.

• Pakai Shiri passed leadership to his son Noah Shiri.

• Paul Govere was succeeded by his son Professor Dr. John Govere.

• Saul Mukavhi was succeeded by his son Samuel Mukavhi.

• After Samuel Mukavhi passed away, leadership was taken over by his younger brother Reuben Mukavhi.

• Josiah Mazengwa was succeeded by his son Simion Mazengwa.