A married Bulawayo woman who was allegedly raped by a church-mate told the court that the rapist used a condom after she had pleaded with him to use protection as she feared contracting HIV.

Testifying in court yesterday, the 29 year-old woman told provincial magistrate Chrispen Mberewere that she realised she was being overpowered and as a result, begged Hudson Mazonde to wear a condom before raping her as she did not know his HIV status.

“He pinned me to the bed and tried to force himself on me. When I realised that he was overpowering me, I asked him if he was going to rape me without a condom. I don’t even know his status,” said the woman.

“He then pushed me again when I was trying to free myself and tore open the condom with his teeth.”

The woman, a teacher, also told the magistrate that she was too shocked to scream when Mazonde forced her to have sex with him.

She then told the magistrate that Mazonde forced her to get on her knees while on the bed, before raping her from behind.

“I kept on telling him that I am a married woman but he wouldn’t listen. When he put on the condom, he asked me to do a ‘doggie-style’ before raping me from my backside,” said the woman.

Prosecuting, Trust Muduma told the court that Mazonde had raped his church-mate after she accepted his invite to come and watch a movie with him at his house.

The court was told that on July 10 at around 2PM, Mazonde contacted the school teacher via telephone and asked her to come over to his house so they could watch movies.  She accepted.

It is alleged that when she got into the house, Mazonde started “acting funny” before he invited her to his bedroom, but she allegedly refused. He then reportedly used force on her and allegedly raped her once.

She later informed her husband of the ordeal and the man in turn made a police report, leading to Mazonde’s arrest.

PHD Ministries leader Prophet Walter Magaya suffered a wardrobe malfunction early this week when he solemnised Sharon Macheso and Kudakwashe Munetsi while donning a hoodie and a pair slippers.

Marriage officers usually conduct such services while resplended in suits to show the importance of marriage unions they will be presiding over.

Magaya’s dressing at the wedding appeared as though he had just been woken from sleep without prior arrangement.

He resembled a loafer dressed in a grey hoodie, a pair of tan “chinos” as well as white slippers,.
His dressing fell short of expectactions of the regalia associated with other celebrity preachers like Emmanuel Makandiwa, Uebert Angel and Passion.

When he walked on stage to bless the couple, the guests were shocked by his dressing at the red carpet affair where the dress code was strictly black and red matching the classy decoration courtesy of Daisy Mtukudzi the hostess.

“Ko nhai ndochii ichocho (what’s that?), “ one guest said, adding that, “Is he not aware that there is a dress code?”

Another guest from the PHD Ministris quipped: “Asi vachangomuka (He appears as if he has just woken up).”

“He made a mockery out of Sharon’s wedding,” another guest said.

More than his gift of US$2000 to the newlyweds, and save for his name, Prophet Magaya was not in sync with the formal occassion, and could have easily been mistaken for a gatecrasher.

Of course, during his formative years Prophet Magaya would dress in bright coloured suits including red something the fashion police would not pass.

Although  he is known for portraying a modest lifestyle which includes driving a one litre engine car, the prophet was the odd one out as guests including former top model and Miss Zimbabwe Trust chairperson, Marry Chiwenga, who were all dressed to the nines.

Prophet Magaya was invited at the wedding since Nyadzisai Macheso, the wife of sungura ace Alick is a member of the PHD Ministries that fellowships at Zindoga Shopping Centre.

Nyadzisai was full of praises for Prophet Magaya saying since joining the church her life as well as that of her family had changed for the better.

“From the time I joined  Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries things are going on well and whether people talk negative things about him but as for me and my family he is the man who brought light to us and I am now experiencing the hand of God.

“I am now at PHD with the children although  Baba Macheso is still to join us. But he (Macheso) accepts the prophet’s blessings in his activities.”

The Herald Entertainment understands that Nyadzisai  received a prophecy  from Prophet Magaya concerning her husband and fortunately with prayers from the man of God, that prophecy changed everything.

Nyadzisai is one of the many popular faces  including Nicolas “Madzibaba” Zakaria, Henrietta Rushwaya, and Allan Chimbetu who now fellowship at Prophet Magaya’s PHD Ministries.

Thousands of Bulawayo residents Thursday thronged Amazulu Sports Club where popular clergyman Walter Magaya’s Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries is holding a two-day crusade.

Residents started trickling into the venue on the outskirts of the city centre early in the morning although it was advertised that the event would start in the evening.

Magaya was expected to arrive at the venue in the evening, but activities started early in the day with people claiming to have been healed of various ailments.

Maria Mirisi (81), from Nkulumane, said she arrived at the stadium at 4am seeking a miracle.

“I always watched prophet Magaya on television. Whenever he prayed I used to touch my home screen believing a miracle would take place because I did not have money to go to Harare,” she said.

“When he announced that he was coming to Bulawayo, I came here at around 4am knowing that today is the day I have been waiting for all these years of pain.

“The moment I stepped on the ground I felt strength coming to my legs and immediately I threw my crutches away. I was able to run like a 16-year-old girl.”

Mpiyekhaya Siziba (38) said he had seen a number of people being healed after prayers from the PHD Ministries pastors.

“People are getting healed. I thought it was not real, but now I fully believe,” he said.

Sibusiso Magwaza (43) from Luveve suburb who suffered a stroke in 1994, was among the many seeking better health.

“I am not a member of this church, but I was told that I could be healed,” he said.

Magwaza arrived at the venue carrying her supper, blankets and toiletries saying she would spend the night at the stadium.

Chemistry Mathe took his wife Florence to the crusade saying they wanted to be healed because they had been sick for some time.

Maxwell Tengwana — one of the pastors in charge at the crusade — said the event was about ministering the Word of God.

“These are two days of God’s favour and grace as you can witness. Miracles have started happening even before we start the main event,” he said.

“We don’t brag about what is happening here, but we want people to believe that God is there.”

Magaya’s spokesperson Oscar Pambuka said the crusade was not a money-spinning venture, but was organised for worship.

“That’s why we are not selling the anointing oil, but giving it to those who buy discs,” he said.

“The main agenda is to reach out to all the parts of Zimbabwe as we have just started.”

The church said the two-day event was part of the Harare-based PHD Ministries’ way of reaching out to other parts of the country.

A leader with one of the city’s growing Pentecostal church has decried the scrapping of BOSTV on free-to-air channels saying it had made them popular.

Speaking to RelZim, Apostle Charles Chara of Messenger of God Outreach Ministries said through the slot they had been accorded by BOSTV the response was overwhelming and made them establish other branches apart from the city branch.

“We have been very much affected by the closure of BOSTV as we had won many souls through our Tele-evangelism on the channel.

“Through that we managed to set up the Norton Branch, Nyanyadzi and ChristonBank ,”said the man of cloth.

He said he also tried radio for evangelism but the response has not been that good as compared to BOSTV.

“For the past months I have been on a daily slot on a local radio with the State Broadcaster but very less little feedback has been realised, ”cited Apostle Chara.

The Messenger of God Outreach Ministries leaders said there have been testimonies from people as far as Botswana, South Africa and the UK who got delivered through the evangelism on BOSTV.

Apostle Charles Chara said the ministries is also vigorously  engaging on various social networks like Facebook, twitter, skype and many others to ensure that they have many converts.

Blue Ocean Satellite Television changed from free-to-air to pay-per-view channel early this year after some licensing irregularities were cited by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).

The channel had become popular among the locals after the scrambling of other popular channels like SABC 1,2 and 3.

BOSTV was the first local free-to-air channels.

Tele-Evangelism fever has gripped many local Pentecostal churches with many now airing out on satellite television these include Emmanuel Makandiwa’s UFI’s Christ TV, Magaya’s PHD has Yaddah TV, Uebert Angel’s Spirit Embassy has Miracle TV.

All these channels are accessible on free to air channels as the television broadcasting scene in Zimbabwe remain rigid.

The embattled leader of PHD Ministries, Prophet Walter Magaya, allegedly bought a $10 000 vehicle for the wife of a Harare man suing him for adultery.

According to summons filed at the High Court (Case No HC6880/14) yesterday by lawyers representing Denford Mutashu, who is demanding $500 000 in adultery damages from Magaya, the man of cloth allegedly bought a Toyota Mark II for Nomsa Ruvazhe, Mutashu’s wife.

Mutashu is being represented by Mugiya & Macharaga Law Chambers.

In his declaration, Mutashu said at one stage Magaya exchanged 13 love text messages with Ruvazhe within 20 minutes and in one of them, the prophet allegedly described the woman as “sexually attractive and highly mobile”.

“The defendant (Magaya) bought the plaintiff’s wife a recent import vehicle being a Toyota Mark II, the latest version costing $10 000, which the plaintiff’s wife is currently driving.

Magaya did not deny that, instead he met the plaintiff in one of the meetings to try and resolve the issue,” read the declaration.

“The love affair between the two grew to the extent that Magaya would exchange love messages with the plaintiff’s wife of more than 13 messages within 20 minutes and the plaintiff’s wife would hide the messages and communication between herself and the defendant.”

Added the declaration: “Magaya is a church leader of a popular church organisation and it is sad that he chose to bed the plaintiff’s wife whom he described as sexually attractive and highly mobile in one of his text messages.

“The plaintiff was so disturbed by the affair between his wife and the defendant to the extent he become bedridden due to excessive stress.”

The declaration added that Mutashu was still going through traumatic moments due to the affair.

“The plaintiff is going through traumatic moments following the realisation that his wife has been going out with the defendant who took advantage of his spiritual supremacy over the vulnerable plaintiff’s wife who was also lured to the extent of staying for three days in Magaya’s lodge without letting the plaintiff aware of where his wife was.

“The moral blameworthiness of Magaya is extremely high and the plaintiff was heartbroken to the extent that he failed to appreciate the value of life since those with power and money can always do what they want with other people’s wives, especially the poor, in the mode of the plaintiff,” said the lawyers.

Mutashu said he no longer shared conjugal rights with Ruvazhe as a result of the affair. In a letter of demand to Magaya last week, Mutashu’s lawyers claimed they were in possession of a video in which the clergyman confesses to the relationship.

The lawyers alleged they also have evidence of love text messages communicated between Magaya and Ruvazhe since they began the love affair in June 2014.

Magaya was given 10 days to respond to the summons.

“The plaintiff (Mutashu)’s claim is for payment of adultery charges amounting to $500 000 being apportioned as $250 000 for loss of contumelia and $250 000 for loss of consortium.

“Interest thereon at the prescribed rate, calculated from the date of issue of summons to the date of payment in full. Costs of suit on an attorney scale,” read the summons.

The lawyers ordered Magaya to launch a defence against the allegations within the next 10 days.

“If you (Magaya) wish to oppose any of the plaintiff’s claims you must enter an appearance to defend by making an appropriate entry in the appearance book kept in the office of the registrar of the High Court of Zimbabwe within 10 days after service of these summons (Saturday, Sundays and Public holidays are not counted as part of this 10-day period, nor this day on which these summons were served,” read the summons.

The Ignite Africa Experience will take place from the 15th to 24th of August 2014 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The programme will unfold in three phases:

1.The Ignatian Gathering – This is the opening gathering at St Ignatius College from the 15th to the 17th of August 2014.

2.The Immersion Week – This is a week-long of immersion experiences (from 18 to 22 August) where participants will engage in Pastoral, Social, Spiritual, Ecological, Artistic and Cultural activities in various Church centers in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

3.On the 22nd of August, Magis participants will gather again at Visitation Makumbi Mission for the final Gathering and Celebrations we have dubbed “The Ignite Africa Festival”.

Fast rising Harare prophet Fodrick Fodrick of Daily Gospel Unstoppable Ministries has relocated at the foot of Warren Park 1 Mountain where he bought acres of land to construct a 5000-seater church.

The man of cloth, well known as The Apple Prophet through his use of the apple fruit as a medium for deliverance, used to hold his Harare services at either Hockey Stadium or Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.

When RelZim visited the new place now called The Prayer Mountain, at the outskirts of Warren Park 1, a makeshift structure has been put in place while construction of the church is underway.

Assets belonging to the church, that includes buses, commuter omnibuses, haulage trucks have also been moved to the mountain.

“We acquired this space eight months ago and we are proud that we now have a place of our own. All along we were renting and it was expensive. We have pitched a tent so far while construction is happening.

“I am glad that the church premise is situated at the very mountain where I met God before founding this ministry. I have even built an altar on the place and to all those we believe this is the Prayer Mountain where it all started.

“I also grew up in this area and our family house is just few metres form the church, so I am happy to return home,” said Fodrick.

Fodrick is one of the modern prophets in the country who rose to limelight through miracle performances.

Preparations for the 2014 edition of Harvest House International Church (HHI) Apostolic/Prophetic conference slated for next week in Zimbabwe’s second largest city are at an advanced stage, organisers have said.

This year’s week-long conference that has in the past attracted thousands of believers across denominations will be held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) hall number four from August 24-31 under the theme: “Perpetuating the Spirit of Leadership and Sonship”.

Bishop Mhambi Ndlovu, in charge of organising the mega conference told a media briefing in Bulawayo recently, four guest speakers, three of whom are international would be ministering at the Christian indaba.

The speakers are Bishop Tudor Bismark of Jabula New Life, Zimbabwe, Bishop Dag Heward Mills of Lighthouse Chapel, Ghana, Prophet Brent Douglas of Encounter Ministries, New Zealand, and Bishop Chimwemwe Chiwaka of Bible Life Ministries, Botswana.

The conference will have four sessions per day that will run between 09.00hours to 20:30hours however with breaks in between.

As part of the conference there will be workshops on various topics conducted by different speakers.

Apostle Sarah Nyathi, co-founder of HHI with her husband Colin Nyathi, will tackle family life while Bishop Chemani Tuturu who leads HHI-Harare will lead discussions on dating and relationships.

The workshop on prayer and intercession will be driven by Bishop Scott Sibanda of HHI Gaborone while Bishop Tonderai Mupamhanga of HHI Johannesburg will discuss the believer and information technology.

Dr Dumisani Magadlela of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) will conduct a business seminar with a view to equipping believers with business skills.

Elders Busisani Ncube-Sangweni and Philip Phiri said Dr Magadlela is an experienced business person in his own right and that they were confident he would impart positively on Christian business persons, adding the seminar free of charge was open to anybody wishing to attend.

The Apostolic conference will see the ordination by Bishop Mills all HHI bishops while Apostle Colin Nyathi will be consecrated.

Church and government leaders and civic society as well as academics are expected to grace the ordination Sunday.

Before the curtain comes down, on Sunday afternoon about 11 choirs from HHI hub churches will battle it out for different prizes and the highest being US$10 000 in a competition organisers have dubbed the “Clash of hub choirs” in which Lindelani Mkhize of Joyous Celebration, South Africa, and Pastor Charles Charamba, Zimbabwe, will be the judges.

Denford Mutashu suing Prophet Magaya at High Court for US$500 000 for bedding his wife (photo: M Chibaya).

LAWYERS representing a Harare man who is accusing Prophet Walter Magaya of bedding his wife have claimed that their client has been getting death threats.

They have also accused top police officers of blocking investigations into the adultery allegations levelled against the “man of God”.

Denford Mutashu is suing Magaya at the High Court for $500,000 for bedding his wife and has made a separate move to have the miracle working prophet arrested.

Mutashu’s lawyer, Norman Mugiya, alleged that some senior police officers who belong to the Prophetic Healing Deliverance (PHD) church are stifling investigations into the bigamy and death threats reported a month ago at Harare Central Police Station.

Mugiya claimed his client was now living in fear as he is continuously receiving threats of death and disappearance over the phone from PHD founder, Walter Magaya, as well as from members of his church.

“I can confirm that there is a criminal report made with the police against Walter Magaya for bigamy but the police are handling the matter and we will hear from the police after their investigations,” said Mugiya

The lawyer said Mutashu and his wife Nomsa Ruvazhe  are legally married, hence they are laying criminal charges against the popular prophet who commands one of the fastest-growing Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe.

Mugiya claims the case was also reported at Harare Central Police Station over a month ago but no action has been taken.

The lawyer identified the investigation officer in the case as Assistant Inspector Makore who is understood to be a detective in the police law and order section.

He said senior cops were calling Mutashu threatening him and he had alerted the police commissioner of the conduct of his troops.

“We have since approached the office of the Commissioner General of police (Augustine Chihuri) with a complaint on whether the police could work as private agents for individuals,” said Mugiya.

Mutashu this month filed a US$500,000 lawsuit demanding compensation from Magaya who allegedly committed adultery with his wife Nomsa Ruvazhe.

Under the law, it is permissible to pursue both criminal and civil charges.

“My client is worried that he is being victimised by some senior police officers who are members of the accused’s organisation,” said Mugiya.

2014 edition of Harvest House International Church (HHI) Apostolic/Prophetic conference

Dates : 24-31 August

Theme: “Perpetuating the Spirit of Leadership and Sonship”.

Speakers are Bishop Tudor Bismark of Jabula New Life, Zimbabwe, Bishop Dag Heward Mills of Lighthouse Chapel, Ghana, Prophet Brent Douglas of Encounter Ministries, New Zealand, and Bishop Chimwemwe Chiwaka of Bible Life Ministries, Botswana.

The conference will have four sessions per day that will run between 09.00hours to 20:30hours however with breaks in between.

Churches in Germany want their federal government to abolish the new emerging culture of assisted suicide which if promoted has a potential of cascading to Africa.

Like homosexuality which is acceptable in statutes of most of the European states, the west   has been rocked by yet another “immoral culture” according to the church, of people and institutions which are assisting ‘desperate’ people to die in ‘peace’.

Fearing for the cascading to Africa of this “immoral culture” the Church is said to be divided over the acceptance of the behavior

In Germany the churches are in the process of engaging the Angela Merkel administration and persuade it to ban such organizations from operating in Germany with discussions in parliament currently going on.

“This situation is disturbing us here in Germany because we believe that life is a God given gift which one should not take away from a person .We have a number of organizations and doctors here in Germany who are assisting people to die. They are doing this in the name of human rights where those who would have suffered from chronic illnesses and other diseases for a long time volunteer to die.

“There is value in everybody’s life

“I the church we have a number of people taking this route and this is disturbing and tearing apart the church .We have one of the senior Bishops in one of the churches here whose wife is suffering from cancer and has decided to go to for assisted suicide.

“She had already asked her husband (the bishop) to accompany her any time soon to go and get suicide assistance. The Bishop has admitted to accompany her and give her a good bye. This is a painful scenario and situation,”Deputy of the Plenipotentiary of the Council of  the Representative of the Council  the protestant church in Germany to the federal republic of Germany and the European Union (KED) Dr Stephen Iro told Zimbabwean journalists in Berlin last week.

Dr Iro believed assisted suicides were tantamount to murder and should not be allowed in an country.

“It is not our intention to influence Africa with such behaviors which we as the church believe are immoral, hence our call for the abolition of the assisted suicide,” he added.

Because the west sets precedence for the developing nations which assimilate and associate themselves with them there is a danger of assisted suicide to cascade down to Africa through the global media the same way homosexuality and other western culture reached Africa.

“We now have no problems with gay marriages in our churches as we have all agreed that we should not discriminate against anyone .What we are doing instead is to encourage partners to be honesty to each other, respect one other, be faithful and stay in harmony .We say no to punishment, discrimination and imprisonment to people engaging in such activities in accordance with human rights,”Dr Iro explained.

The Catholics are not spared in this discourse according to Deputy Director of the Catholic office responsible for basic issues related to state church bio-ethics, development policy, foreign and security policy.

“It is our prayer that government listens to us and abolishes such practices which are immoral and inhuman. Life comes from God and is the only one who should take it.

“We are having a problem of people who are aged and lonely and those people end up seeking for assisted suicide from these companies after finding life boring and we say this ungodly and unholy,” she said.

Denying adultery charges …Prophet Walter Magaya (photo: B Kanamhora).

Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder Prophet Walter Magaya, who is currently involved in an alleged messy adultery affair with a Harare woman, yesterday urged all his followers to abstain from physical violence against ‘perpetrators’.

In a statement on the church’s Facebook Page Magaya ‘advised’ his thousands of followers to show love to those against him and the church.

“Due to the negative publicity moving across all forms of media (print or electronic) against PHD Ministries in general and Prophet W. Magaya in particular there have been emotional reactions from all concerned PHD Ministries Members and followers. However, you are kindly but strongly advised to refrain from any forms of physical violence against such perpetrators.

“It is true that we are being fought left, right and centre but all that are actions inspired by the devil to tarnish the good image of the Ministry and man of God Prophet W. Magaya in his personal capacity. Where there is light, darkness is pushed away and it is when the darkness is affected that the devil the king of darkness retaliates by inspiring people to act against us,” read part of the statement.

The man of cloth’s bouncers had been described as violent assaulting people with dancer Beverly Sibanda, a former church member being another victim.

Magaya said the war belongs to God and therefore the congregants should not be involved in fighting those spreading lies.

“Remember the battle is not for us but for the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The Bible in the book of Ephesians.6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

“Greater is He who is in us than the one who is in this world.

“Again I repeat – DO NOT USE ANY FORMS OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE against such elements of the society, show them love as our brothers and sisters,” read the statement.

The Harare City Council is set to take necessary action on churches located in the residential areas in a bid to curb noise pollution.

A number of churches in the residential areas have been blamed for causing noise especially during the evening with some residents appealing to the local authority to deal with noise pollution.

According to minutes from the latest full council meeting, The Finance and Development Committee resolved to deal with the issue and tasked the Director of Works to take necessary action on churches making noise in the suburbs.

“Arising from the discussion on approval of open market valuation of a church stand, the committee expressed the need for the Director of Works to take necessary action to control such noise in residential areas ad report to the Environmental Management Committee,” read the minutes.

There is no tangible law enforcement as far as noise pollution is concerned in the country.

Environmental Management Agency (EMA) once said offenders will be paying fines of up to $5 000 or going to jail for a maximum of one year for disturbing neighbors through noise like playing music at high volume.

But the maximum fine has been $20 payable to the police.

EMA is working on a Statutory Instrument that will allow the agency to enforce section 79 to 81 of the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27].

The sections provide for fines ranging from level 1 which is $20 to 14 which is $5 000, and or up to one year in prison for “exceeding noise standards” set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at both residential and industrial areas.

WHO stipulates that noise should not exceed 55 decibels during the day and should be less than 35 dB (a radio played at moderate volume) at night in residential areas.

Meanwhile residents have blasted HCC for not taking Christians seriously.

Harare Residents Trust spokesperson Precious Shumba said despite some residents expressing concerns over increased numbers of churches within residential areas, council need to deal with the matter professionally.

“What is their definition of noise? The City of Harare must deal first with its planning, monitoring and evaluation systems to reflect citizens’ actual needs. The tragedy of Harare is that everything is adhoc managed, meaning their approach is reactionary instead of being proactive.

“The Christians gathering to worship the true living God must not be harassed and abused by council officials who believe that their own churches are more superior to the community churches. It is however very true that some residents have expressed concerns about the increasing number of churches within residential areas. A harmonised approach is required to resolve this situation, by bringing together Councillors, council officials and Church leaders and find a lasting solution,” said Shumba.

Denying adultery charges …Prophet Walter Magaya (photo: B Kanamhora

FORMER ZIFA chief executive, Henrietta Rushwaya, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the $500,000 adultery claim filed against Prophetic Healing Deliverance Ministries head, prophet Walter Magaya.

Magaya is thought to suspect Rushwaya, an employee in the finance department of his organisation, of masterminding the adultery lawsuit and claims she was repeatedly trying to get him to pay off his accuser.

Food World general manager, Denford Mutashu, claims Magaya was bedding his wife, Nomsa Mutashu, and wants US$500,000 from the church leader – $250 000 for loss of affection and the balance for denial of consortium.

ZRP spokesman, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi, confirmed Rushwaya had been picked up for questioning.

“Rushwaya has been picked up by police to assist in our investigations in connection with the Magaya and Mutashu case. It does not necessarily mean that she will be detained,” he said.

“At the moment we cannot divulge any details as investigations are still in progress.”

Meanwhile, Mutashu’s lawyers said their client had gone into hiding after escaping two kidnap attempts.

“I can confirm that my client has gone into hiding after serious death threats and kidnapping attempts,” said the attorney Norman Mugiya.

“The first kidnapping attempt occurred near his home in Waterfalls, while the second incident took place along Samora Machel Avenue in Harare.

“We reported a case of attempted kidnapping at CID Law and Order in Harare.”

See related reading:

Magaya accuser claims death threats 

Prophet Magaya urges his followers to shun violence 

Caroline Maposhere a sexual reproductive health expert (photo: M Chibaya).

In Zimbabwe a largely Christian community, institutions tasked with maintaining the moral fiber including the church and some parents are still rigid and preaching abstinence before marriage to fight HIV/Aids thereby denying young people information on safe sex and sexual reproductive health.

According to the ‘Zimbabwe Global AIDS Response Progress Report 2012 around half of the people living with HIV in Zimbabwe become infected during adolescence or young adulthood.

However the Christian communities in Zimbabwe still insist on abstinence as the most effective method to fight HIV/AIDS.

Christine Mtize a former National Health and HIV/AIDS Training coordinator of the Catholic Bishops Conference said that while the church acknowledges  that young people have a right to be educated and informed  on sexuality sex is for marriage only.

“Sex is for marriage. It is a matrimonial and conjugal right for those who are married. Sex is a precious gift that should be left for marriage,” she said

Gift Mambipiri a Catholic said that the church had limited options as they have a doctrine that guides them.

“The church offers options based on preserving human morality and human dignity therefore outside abstinence the church only looks at options that are available for married people which then limits the scope of what the church can do and will always preach about.”

A pastor with a local Pentecostal church Farai Mapanzure concurred with Mambipiri and said the church followed the bible which only supports sex for those in marriages

However teenagers who spoke to Real Zim said the abstinence message has proved that it is not working.

Tatenda Zhou, a teenager who has dropped out of school after impregnating a fellow classmate, said the Zimbabwean society, especially the church, was living in a denial mode  as they refuse to accept that there is adolescent sex. He said it was unfortunate that the abstinence message has been prioritized over safe sex and sexual reproductive health messages.

“I do not think abstinence is still something to talk about because we are engaging into sex. The focus nowadays if we are to reduce HIV/Aids should be on protection not abstinence because young girls of our age are doing it with older man. Sometimes we do it with girls of our age or older women so abstinence is out at the moment.”

Zhou who regrets his actions says the environment they are living in has driven them to be sexually active while still young

“These days we see so many movies and watch pornography. We consider it cool to have sex because of peer pressure it is something that is normal. Poverty has also contributed,” he said

Zhou says lack of information and safe sex has destroyed his future as he is now out of school and his parents have refused to continue paying fees for him.

“We do not know how to go about it. At church and at home we are always told to abstain. We are just experimenting based on movies. Our parents and elders do not tell us so we are at risk. We do not have information on condoms and girls get pregnant while young because they do not know how to use family planning methods because society still believes we are still young but we are doing it,” he said.

Caroline Maposhere, a sexual reproductive health expert, bemoaned the existence of abuse in most institutions that should provide guidance to young people

“It is unfortunate that there is a lot of abuse in churches, schools and at home while the abstinence message is also no longer applicable to the young people,” she said

Vapostori attacking Cops in Budiriro (photo: Newsday)

Madzibaba Simon Mbiriyagai a senior elder of an apostolic sect appeared at the Harare Civil court Wednesday on charges of assault.

Madzibaba Simon is alleged to have assaulted his first wife Rumbidzai who also claims that Madzibaba Simon was also evicting her from their matrimonial home so that he accommodates a second wife.

“It was not my wish to stand before this court over challenges we are facing as a family but I came because the situation is getting worse. I don’t know why he is always beating me up. He has a high post in church and its shameful for him to be involved in such issues.

The two appeared before Magistrate Tafadzwa Muvhami. Rumbidzai claims his husband is forcing her to go and stay in rural areas to pave way for a new wife.

Responding to the court, Simon said he had no problems in keeping his peace towards Rumbidzai but said he was no longer interested in remaining married to her.

“She has been making false accusations against me so I don’t know the next move. I don’t see us being together ever again because I am now afraid of her.”

Muvhami granted Rumbidzai a protection order.

HEALTH and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa, on Wednesday left the audience in stitches when he called for increased condom use among church members due to the surge in the number of cases of church leaders sexually assaulting congregants.

He was speaking at the official launch of the new scented condoms by PSI Zimbabwe in the capital.

Parirenyatwa said that it was unfortunate that some church leaders could not resist engaging in sexual activity and as such members should be careful and resort to condom use to prevent HIV and Aids, sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.

“There are some of them (church leaders) out there who just can’t resist,” Parirenyatwa said.

“I would urge them to use condoms because we have some religious leaders who just can’t resist. So I would urge them to use condoms so that they are protected,” he said.

Of late, cases of sexual abuse of female congregants have been on the increase, a development that has led to some of the churches being banned from conducting services.

RMG Independent End Time Message Church leader Robert Martin Gumbura was this year sentenced to 40 years in prison after being convicted on four counts of raping church members.

“Sometimes, people feel shy to ask for condoms and the end result might be disastrous. We were even proposing that even in the hotels, condoms be placed inside the Bibles that are placed inside the rooms so that even those who are shy to ask for the condoms can be able to get them without difficulty,” Parirenyatwa said.

So many stories have been written on abuse in churches but what is clear is that the majority of those abused are women. Stories have been written of women who seek the services of prophets and church leaders but then end up being abused.

Of late is the story of a popular prophet Walter Magaya of the Prophetic Healing Deliverance Ministries PHD who is accused of adultery by a Harare man Denford Mutashu. However, Mutashu’s third wife Memory Nomusa Ruvazhe, who denies any sexual relationships with the prophet, claims she only went to Magaya to seek help on her marriage problems.

Media reports have shown that women who especially go to churches especially the mushrooming Pentecostal and Apostolic churches with their “heavy burdens” are sometimes abused by the prophets and sect leaders whom are supposed to be delivering them.

Chengeto Zhou, an elder in a Pentecostal church in Harare, said it is sad that women continue to be abused in the church, an institution that is supposed to proffer them solutions to their problems or walk with them through their problems.

“Most women put themselves under unnecessary pressure and have a lot of problems that drive them to seek the services of the apostolic leaders or prophets. It is this vulnerability and the need to find solutions to their problems that sometimes lead women to be abused in the church and only realize that they have been abused after the abuse.” Zhou explained.

“I have read media reports of women especially who seek services at apostolic shrines who are told to return alone and sometimes made to strip naked by male apostolic leaders and then raped,” she said.

“This shows desperation in women sometimes in a bid to have a child in a childless marriage or tame a husband who will be womanizing,” Zhou added.

Bertha Chaitezvi said women keep on being raped despite media reports on such cases and blamed brainwashing by some churches leaders.

“If you read these stories you realize that the tricks used by these dubious prophets are almost similar which can only mean that they brainwash these women before abusing them. Women also feel under a lot of pressure by the too much need to please man.

Women should know that there is no such thing as a perfect marriage therefore should not unnecessarily put themselves under pressure in trying to make their marriages perfect,” Chaitezvi explained.

Asked on why women always expose themselves by visiting apostolic shrines and prophets alone and expose themselves to abuse, Madzibaba Titus Mombeshora a leader of an apostolic set said most prophets have become “natural psychologists” .

“These are dubious prophets who know the problems that mostly affect women and they capitalize on this. Women should wake up and smell the coffee and they should be on alert when these prophets ask for weird things.

How can you for example agree to remove all your clothes in front of a men in a secluded place where you know that in the event that when abused and you scream no one will hear you,’ Madzibaba Mombeshora queried.

Mombeshora said most of the tricks that are used by the “false prophets “ are so old that women should not continue to fall prey on these tricks.

Speakers at the just ended three day Jehovah’s Witness conference at the National Sports Stadium encouraged congregates to remain resolute.

Some of the talks which kept the crowd captivated were “Who will inherit God’s kingdom”, “The kingdom’s good news has to be preached first” and “Pursue goals that can help you inherit the kingdom.”

Today’s focus will be on the public discourse themed Earth’s Rulers, Who Really Qualifies?” and a full costume drama.

Followers were urged to focus their lives on inheriting God’s kingdom regardless of the many adversities people are facing.

After the conference at least 1 568 bible students were baptised at the Jehovah’s Witnesses international convention at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

The convention, which is the first of its kind, also saw the number of people attending the second day of the three-day convention going up to 74 694 from 68 916 who attended the first day of the religious jamboree which started on Friday.

The convention organiser Effort Mugabe said the oldest of the baptismal candidates was 97 years old while the youngest was seven years old.

Two other candidates were aged 85 years.

The candidates were baptised after a six month to two year bible course.

At the convention, several publications were released titled Your Family Can Be Happy, Teach Your Children and God’s Kingdom Rules.

The baptismal candidates said they were happy to have made history by getting baptized at the first international convention in the country.

There are 7,9 million Witnesses from 239 countries in 113 000 congregations globally.

In Zimbabwe there are 42 000 Witnesses.

Prophet Magaya (photo: B Kanhamora).

Scandal ridden and leader of the Prophetic Healing Deliverance Ministries head, prophet Walter Magaya will this weekend hold a major pastors congress in Harare.

According to his officials Magaya will host more than 3 000 church leaders from Pentecostal lay clergymen from across the country at his traditional Waterfalls Zindoga venue.

The conference starts on 29 August and ends on 30 August.

His (Magaya) conference advertising poster seen in Harare Tuesday by RelZim reads, “DONT MISS OUT ITS YOUR TIME,BE THERE AND EXPERIENCE THE DEMONSTRATION OF GOD’S POWER THROUGH PROPHET WALTER MAGAYA”

Observers say Magaya wants to use the conference as Public Relations to his adultery allegations he is facing.

The PHD ministries leader is being sued by Food World general manager, Denford Mutashu, who claims he  was bedding his wife, Nomsa Mutashu, and wants US$500,000 from him.

Magaya is denying the allegations and has since asked for sexual evidence.

The church leader has also said that his rival Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa and former ZIFA Chief Executive Henrietta Rushwaya, plotted the adultery allegations he is facing.

Rushwaya was last week picked up for questioning by the police in connection with the case.

Magaya also attracted media attention when recently in Bulawayo insulted journalists when he said they were followers of the devil.

He said this after his bouncers abused a Chronicle photographer who was on duty taking pictures.

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists issued out a statement demanding that the church leader should apologise.

Magaya is yet to apologies to journalists for his irresponsible statements.

See related reading:

Rushwaya held over Magaya extortion 

Magaya accuser claims death threats