By James Gwati- Police were on Friday over-powered by the mourning warring rival factions of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM), who were fighting at the funeral of the late Missiondom Sengwayo, the youngest son of the late founder of the church, Reverend Morgan Sengwayo.

Missiondom died on Sunday at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) due to injuries sustained following a brutal attack by thugs at the church house in Pelandaba suburb.

He had been on life support for a week following the attack, which left both the family and the local community with more questions than answers.

The gate was locked and mourners, some from as far as South Africa and UK, failed to access the church premises resulting in chaotic scenes with some angry people trying to destroy the locked gate. Police watched helplessly as the drama unfolded.

There was a heavy police presence during the funeral, which was preceded by a short service at Missiondom’s place of residence.

Residents and church members thronged the church house to pay their last respects.

The situation degenerated into chaos after church members aligned to Missiondom’s camp started chasing away members of the Gumbo faction who were subsequently forced to lock themselves inside their houses.

“These people are the ones who killed our brother and they must account for their evil deeds. We don’t want to see them. They must not come here to shed crocodile tears,” one mourner was overheard shouting.

-Chronicle