Tanzanian government deregisters Gwajima’s church over political sermons

In a letter dated June 2, 2025, the Registrar of Civil Societies, Mr Emmanuel Kihampa, informed Mr Gwajima that the church had breached Section 17 of the Societies Act (Cap 337), read together with Section 39 of the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act No. 3 of 2019, by delivering sermons that politicised the pulpit and threatened national peace.

“I hereby inform you that I have revoked the registration of the Glory of Christ Tanzania Church effective June 2, 2025. You are required to cease all church activities immediately,” the letter states.

The Registrar contended that recent sermons delivered by Bishop Gwajima were intended to create division between the government and the public.

The letter further notes that the church has the right to appeal the decision through the Ministry of Home Affairs within 21 days.

Bishop Gwajima attracted renewed attention last week after holding a press conference in which he expressed concern over abductions and enforced disappearances, questioning what the response would be if such incidents involved the children of senior government officials.

While his remarks were welcomed by some human rights advocates, they drew sharp criticism from sections of the ruling party, with some cadres accusing him of neglecting his duties to his constituents and tarnishing the government’s image.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan also appeared to issue a veiled rebuke during a ruling party congress last week, cautioning against what she described as the “Gwajimanisation” of CCM.

“If we promote those who are only after personal gain, we end up with people like that. Let us not ‘Gwajimanise’ our party. Leave the Gwajimas outside. There should be no shame or favouritism,” she said.

Unfazed, Bishop Gwajima reiterated his commitment to speaking out during a Sunday service on June 1.

He announced a seven-day period of national fasting and prayer beginning June 2, calling for divine intervention for justice and guidance for national leaders, including President Hassan.

During the service, the cleric led his congregation in singing the patriotic Tanzania Nakupenda and urged Tanzanians to place national interests above all else.

“Tell your neighbour: ‘Tanzania comes first; everything else follows,’” he urged.

He also criticised the silence of some leaders and called for unity among both spiritual and political figures in denouncing the abductions.

He cited the case of Sheikh Jabir Al-Farsy, whose body was found dumped in Zanzibar after he went missing, as well as the fate of CCM member and businessman, Daniel Chonchorio, who has been unaccounted for since May 23.

“Even members of CCM and religious leaders are not spared. If today it’s a sheikh, tomorrow it could be someone else,” he said.

Bishop Gwajima insisted that abductions were contrary to CCM’s founding principles and denounced them as the actions of rogue individuals.

“CCM is not a party of abductors. Anyone abducting others in the name of the party is committing a grave injustice,” he said.

Efforts by The Citizen to obtain a response from the relevant government authorities regarding Gwajima’s initial remarks proved unsuccessful.