Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa during a clean up campaign in Harare (B Kanamhora).

Harare City Council yesterday presented a certificate of appreciation to Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa and his United Family International Church following the church’s massive clean-up campaign in the city last week.

Council engineer Phillip Pfukwa said: “It is not about the number of papers that you picked, it’s the thought that counts. The message you have sent to the nation is big.”

Last Sunday, Makandiwa led over 40 000 church members in a clean-up campaign mostly targeting commuter omnibus ranks.

Pfukwa added: “As city council, we are struggling to manage litter. Come rainy season, my office will be flooded by people who will be complaining that we are not cleaning drains and that they are blocked. Even at home, drains are blocked by litter.

“The results of littering are too ghastly to contemplate. The litter is taken to the lake and this is the same water from the lake that we should drink.”

Meanwhile, Makandiwa’s wife, Ruth on Friday hosted a lavish dinner for 120 underprivileged couples from the church. The dinner was held at a five-star hotel in the capital Harare.

The couples were drawn from the church’s 12 zones in Harare and Chitungwiza.

Noel Mupeiwa,  Harare regional magistrate  postponed  judgement in the case in which Anderson Tagara colluded with Spirit Embassy  church leader Uebert Angel to defraud a Harare man of his Bentley to Wednesday. .

On Thursday, the day the judgement was to be given, Mupeiwa, indicated that it was not ready.

The court heard that Tagara was an accessory to the offence committed by Madzaniri who is out of the country.

In his defence, Tagara told the court that , Ndabazinengi Shava  had exonerated him through a confession in which he gambled his property  without any involvement of Tagara

Shava told the court he engaged Tagara to import the vehicle on his behalf and gave him $300 000 to cover all costs.

He said Angel called him a year after acquiring the said motor vehicle and advised him to ‘‘seed’’ the Bentley after being promised he would get it back thrice fold after eight months.

Shava said after eight months, when he tried to contact Angel, he became evasive.

“I later learnt that my car was being driven by one Phibion who claimed to have bought it from Angel. That is when I reported the matter and the investigating officer showed me affidavits and an agreement of sale.

“…there was Tagara’s affidavit which portrayed him as the seller and that is when I realised that Tagara had connived with Angel to deprive me of my vehicle,” Shava told the court.

Tagara denied the allegations and claimed he acquired the Bentley using his “sole and exclusive funds”.

Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa (photo:M. Chibaya).

Former Caps United and Dynamos midfielder Ashely Rambanepasi was healed at prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa‘s chuch last week.

Doctors had said Rambanepasi’s  legs had an anomaly which was causing complications to his back.

For the past days the footballer has not been training at Caps United until last Sunday when he visited United Families International Church for healing.

The miracle happened and the footballer got healed.

He has since resumed training with Caps United with the hope of resurrecting his once impressive career.

“Everything is now okay and my legs are doing well” he said.

He said the healing is not a  that at UFIC are not miracles but they were real.

He added: “I will be back in the pitch very soon as I got healed by Prophet Makandiwa.”

Pastor Kufa who is the church spokesperson said they were sent by God to deliver miracles.

“These miracles are real and we have no time to argue with those who doubt us as God is doing his works,” he said.

He said the footballer was now okay and he will be back in the pitch as usual.

“That is how God works he will be okay and he should thank God for that great miracle,” he said.

Rambanepasi is expected to be back on the pitch this weekend confirming the recent healing.

See related readings:

Makandiwa launches television station 

Makandiwa’s manhood miracle 

ZIMBABWEAN gospel music is currently going through a difficult dispensation that has left many gospel artistes in the doldrums.

From the prevalence of social media rendering music sales erratic to the fusion of the “holy sounds” with “earthly sounds” ; the industry is enduring a gruelling experience.

Yet what that has meant is the cheapening of the quality of the message that is carried in the music particularly with the advent of the gospel of prosperity where the message is all about success and not what God says.

But one artiste among a few, Daisy Chiguvare Mukariri, has kept on hitting hard on social commentary with the view of changing society’s behaviour on certain issues.

Her music has remained sober in a way and has not followed the wind to preach the gospel of prosperity.

“My music is straight forward. It is all about the life that we are living,” she said.

“I tackle issues from the usage of mobile phones that have been so grossly abused, infidelity that has broken marriages yet it is so respected in society.

“What I am saying is whatever you write and delete has a record later,” she said.

“Trustworthiness has died and the new school of Christianity is allowing this to happen.”

Chiguvare, 35 recently released her second album that carries nine tracks.

The album carries a decent directness in that has become rare in local gospel music that has been overtaken by fashion and fusions.
The album carries traks like Dziriko Mhandara, Chamboko chaJesu, Chikomana Delete, Dhimoni Rakasurrender, Tarangarirwa, Ndinyoreiwo Zita, Zvakasimudzwa naJesu, Kana Ndakutsika Konzi and Ropa Rakadeuka.

Studying towards the attainment of a degree in Business Administration, Chiguvare runs Angels Rock View, a preschool in Zengeza 3.

Daisy said she has diverted from her initial call to minister to the bereaved.

“I was driven by passion to minister to the bereaved and I released the album Mwari Vanoona in 2012. The album is all about reaching out and giving hope to the bereaved but I have had to divert a little so that I can first get the people to know about me so that in future in the time of need they can then engage me,” said Chiguvare.

She said people should be wary of false prophets whose word is laced more with doctrines other than the word of God.

“People have become so famous through prophesying but in heaven their names may not be there. Some sing gospel music but they do not live in Christian ways and they should correct that so that they can see the kingdom of heaven,” she said.

Prophet Magaya (photo: B Kanhamora).

PROPHETIC Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya claims that some bogus prophets were riding on his popularity and selling fake healing oil and anointing water with PHD and Yadah labels to unsuspecting people.

Speaking to NewsDay during his brief appearance in Marondera on Tuesday, Magaya said the alleged con-artists were charging between $3 and $5 for the anointing oil.

“I am quite aware of some men of God, or rather fake prophets, who have been going around claiming to be representatives of this church. We are aware that some have been selling anointing oil in the name of the church,” Magaya said.

“This is the reason why PHD is on an outreach programme where we are meeting the people and parading real anointing oil from the church. People should be aware of these people,” he said.

The charismatic youthful church leader draws huge crowds at his healing sessions throughout the country.

Father Fredrick Chiromba of the National Transitional Justice Working Group (NTJWG) has expressed satisfaction on the inclusion of church leaders among the 33 shortlisted names of people to be interviewed for the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

Speaking in Harare after the press conference addressed by the chairperson of the NTJWG, Alec Muchadehama, Father Chiromba said they were delighted that the church leaders had made it on the shortlist.

“Various organisations including the church were invited to submit names of people to sit on the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission and we did so we are glad some of the names we submitted appeared on the list,” said Father Chiromba.

He added that this is just a shortlist and not the final list saying they hope people nominated by the church will be in the NPRC.

“I hope some people from the church will be on the NPRC because basically this is the core business of the church, we are about reconciliation and peace,” he said.

Meanwhile, Father Chiromba who is also the Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) said the church fully supports the international day of truce as it is an important day in Zimbabwe.

“The day is important to all of us to observe and work in promoting truce in our nation,” he said.

Muchadehama expressed concern about the appointment process for the commissioners who will be appointed to the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

“Thirty three candidates will be interviewed for possible appointment to the NPRC. Twelve candidates will be selected and the list will be presented to the President, who will appoint eight commissioners plus the chairperson,” Muchadehama said.

He went on to list the qualities which his organisation said the interviewers should be looking for in the prospective NPRC Commissioners adding the legitimacy and credibility of the commission will stand or collapse mainly on the quality of the person who will be appointed to it.

Muchadehama said the commissioners should be persons of unquestionable integrity with those of questionable moral stature, scandalous or suspicious behaviour having no place in the NPRC among other qualities.

Dr Chad Gandiya, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Harare, former Zimbabwe Ambassador to the United States Professor Simbi Mubako, Retired Justice Selo Nare Maselo, former Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe president Goodwill Shana and Getrude Zhuwawo are some of the candidates shortlisted for the NPRC.

Meanwhile, the interviews for commissioners will be held from 23 to 25 March 2015 in the Parliament Senate chambers.

Gospel diva Joyce Simeti has resumed her talent search shows.

The musician launched the initiative about two years ago but last year failed to host the show due to ill health.

Simeti said she wanted gospel music to be upgraded in Zimbabwe.

“There is a lot of talent out there and those people should come so that Gospel music will be taken to another level,” she said.

Dubbed the Joyce Simeti Talent Show, the event will be graced by known arts personalities like Albert Nyathi, Bob Nyabinde, Helen Venganayi, MacDonald Chidavaenzi and Mudiwa Mutandwa who would assist Simeti identify talented artistes.

The gospel diva said she was inspired to come up with the show after meeting a lot of people that sought assistance to nurture their talents.

“Every day I meet people that tell me they are good in various arts disciplines and ask for assistance,” said Simeti.

“I have never had time to assist such people because I would be busy with my projects. All the past years, I would encourage them to approach producers or studios to be auditioned, but I realised that I can also have a hand in giving them exposure.”

Simeti said outstanding artistes would be given offers, including free studio time and grooming. The show would not be limited to musicians as it would also rate talents in modelling, poetry, designing and acting, among other genres.

“A well-wisher has identified talented children from a number of orphanages that would also take part at the show. These children hardly have exposure although some of them are very talented.

“I am happy this well-wisher decided to give the children a chance to showcase their talents and an opportunity to rise.”

The first show invites aspiring artistes to present their own products. Those selected at the show would be given assignments to work on for six months.

They would present their assigned works at the second Joyce Simeti Talent Show in December.

Zanu PF presidential candidate Robert Mugabe arrives at Apostolic Sect at Mafararikwa Shrine in Marange. (photo: M.Chibaya.)

President Mugabe has blasted some sections of Pentecostal churches who mislead their congregants into believing they can get rich quickly, while demanding that the church members give all they have to the church to enrich the pastors.

He was speaking at a recent Kutama Mission centenary celebrations in Zvimba, President Mugabe also lamented the moral decadence in society.

He said Pentecostal churches were taking advantage of desperate congregants taking their hard earned cash and make them believe they can be rich over night.

“As for the Pentecostal ones, anyone who thinks because there is no job, he can just catch Genesis 1 and they just start preaching,” he said.

He drew the guests into laughter after he imitated  the forceful manner used by Pentecostal pastors when preaching, President Mugabe said after grasping Genesis 1 they start saying; “That is what God has done, I can also do that through him. I have the inspiration and the message.

“The dream I had last night was that I must do A&B, E&B. And you will get that (what the church wants) in no time.”

He  urged  the nation  to be patient and work hard as prescribed in the Bible to sustain their livelihoods.

“That’s what we get even in Genesis when Adam was punished,” he said. “That you now have to sweat for you to live. But God was kind enough; there is the whole world, you see, just yours. You work on it. You have to work.

“A piece of ground, you grow potatoes; in no time, you become well to do.”

“There are others varikuteya mari, varikubata mbeva dzemari,” he said. “Zvinobva zvanzi handei kumakuva, vakamuka ikoko vanokuisira mari muriva, but asi iwe unotanga waisa $300 muno umu, wozoenda ikoko mari hapana, zvonzi ah pane chawatadza iwewe. Ndiwe waita kuti mari iyende.”

President Mugabe is on record as saying some Pentecostal churches in the country were extorting gifts from their followers by making it mandatory for them to “give” to their leaders.

Beam of Hope International

Theme:Night of Hope

Date: Friday 27th March 2015

Venue: Unit 1 No 676 Gallagher Avenue Halfway House Midrand

Johanne Masowe eChishanu Apostolic sect leader Ishmael Chokurongerwa  denied the violence charges levelled against him, Tuesday when his trial opened at the Harare Magistrates Court before magistrate Milton Serima.

Chokurongerwa is accused of inciting the assault of about six riot police officers, journalists and members of the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe last year in May at his Budiriro Shrine.

Chokurongerwa’s lawyer Tawanda Takaindisa said his client was wrongly accused as he was out of Harare at the time of the attack.

“What happened occured in his absence and as such he had no control over it because he was not part of the congregation,” Takaindisa told the court

However  a police officer who is one of the state witnesses, Stanley Tafireyi, told the court that he saw Chokurongerwa at the shrine on the day.

“Chokurongerwa was there,” Tafireyi said

“ Madzibaba Ishmael started singing the song Humambo hwemapfumo neropa  and the other congregants responded. They stood up and started assaulting the police and other people who were there.”

Tafireyi said although he did not see Chokurongerwa assaulting the police, he was the one who influenced his congregants when he started singing.

He said Takaindisa’s assertion that the accused person was out of Harare at the material time was not true because he personally saw him at the shrine.

During cross examination, Takaindisa told the court that other witnesses said during the trial of the jailed sect members that it was Chokuvengwa Gwenzi and  Madzimure who started the song and not the accused person.
Tafireyi told the court that although he had known Chokurongerwa prior to the assault, he was not sure if he was the sect leader because the accused person always denied being the leader of the church.

“He used to bring some cases to the police station but however said he was not the church leader. He indicated that he was just one of several prophets in the church which he said was led by the Holy Spirit,” he said.
Eleven members of his sect have already been convicted on the same charge and sentenced to four years in prison. Chokurongerwa was arrested at his rural home in Chigogodza Village in Murehwa in January this year.

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Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) founder Prophet Walter Magaya during the all night prayer thatg drew more than 350 000 people (photo: M Chibaya).

When the Pharisees sent their disciples along with the Herodians to ask Jesus whether it was acceptable to pay taxes to Caesar, Jesus told them to show him the coin for the tax and he asked them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” and they said “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”  (Matthew 22 v 16 – 22).

Now, whose likeness and inscription is on the bottle of the anointing oil from PHD Ministries? If the anointing oil were from God then why would it bear labels from PHD?

Would it not bear God’s name on it and Him mad about its abuse not Magaya? If the anointing oil is from God then why is he selling it? It is like selling rain! Who buys rain falling free from the sky? That is how ignorant some of us have become.

So he does not sell it but he gives it free to those who buy his CD, please, it is subtle of him but it is selling still. It is like a Kombi conductor telling commuters that the ride is free but the tickets each passenger is required to acquire upon entry cost a dollar!

It also means that those who do not buy do not get segregating them from those who can financially afford deliverance something that Jehovah does not do.

(2 Corinthians 2 v 17) says, “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s Word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak of Christ”.

Even in Paul’s day, the Magayas were there and so many of them insincere and not bespoke by God.

Clearly, Magaya would not have travelled  with the Apostles for they were told to, “Acquire no gold or silver or copper on your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or staffs, for the labourer deserves his food.” (Matthew 10 v 9-10).

Magaya is in complete violation of the apostolic mode of operation here. That is how we know that he is not from God for he is deceitful, greedy and ruthless by robbing, swindling and stealing from the unsuspecting and desperate people.

‘Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya claims that some bogus prophets were riding on his popularity and selling fake healing oil and anointing water with PHD and Yadah labels to unsuspicious people.’ I am surprised by the words of Prophet Magaya: ‘ridding on his popularity’ yet he is riding on the popularity of Jesus!

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and cast out demons without asking for pay for he received without paying.” (Matthew 10 v 8).

It is clear that Magaya is manufacturing and anointing oil from a private factory somewhere in the world for if it was from heaven, it would have been available from every prophet like the Holy Spirit is available, “For the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.” (Matthew 9 v 37).

It is against the teachings of the gospel to make anointing oil and there is nowhere in the bible were it is mentioned that prophets of the God made anointment oil and healed Israel. It is not Christian. It is anti-scripture and suspicious.

All prophets of God receive the gift of prophesy without paying so that they help without receiving payment. Prophesy, Healing and Deliverance is FREE! Only those who purchase their powers charge people for their services. ‘Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.’ (Matthew 10 v 16)Now it is more as if they are the wolves among the sheep sucking people dry of their hard-earned cash in Jesus’ name.

“I am quite aware of some men of God, or rather fake prophets, who have been going around claiming to be representatives of this church. We are aware that some have been selling anointing oil in the name of the church,” Magaya said.

It is clear that the anointing oil belongs to Magaya. It is his products no wonder why he is infuriated that some people are profiting from it. I wonder how infuriated God is going to be with Magaya over this. I know Coca cola would be, if one starts making homemade Coke, bottling it in its Coke bottles and selling it cheap on the black market.

Pastor Charles Charamba and wife Olivia, who are the Zimbabwe Traffic Safety Council Road Safety ambassadors, have urged motorists to drive safely ahead of the Easter Holidays.

Charamba urged members of the public to drive safely.

“A lot of things come along the way but people should know that Jesus died to save our lives therefore we should drive cautiously,” said Charamba.

The “Machira Chete” singer said people should not drive under the influence of alcohol.

“Usually people travel to see their relatives during Easter. They go to church gatherings to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus and they drive long distances.”

He said the first thing was to thank God who granted the grace to see year 2015 progressing.

“It is vital to acknowledge the fact that God has been always good to us. Yes, many had wished to receive different blessings from God as per their resolutions,” he said.

He said while some are celebrating their successes it was important to drive with caution and manage the excitement that comes with such a new status.

“Many would be celebrating after making it in spheres such as academics, weddings, relocation, or entrepreneurial breakthrough, there are many among us who were able to acquire assets such as cars.

“It is our heartfelt desire to share the joy with such, but at the same time we sincerely warn them to take maximum care when using those vehicles,” he said. The musician said the public had a big role to play in ensuring that drivers travel with safe speeds.

“Passengers commuting to different destinations to celebrate Easter Holiday, are urged to play a role in insuring safety. Let one individual be in control. Make your suggestion heard through the use of appropriate language and do not cause panic,” he said.

His wife Olivia echoed the sentiments and sternly warned people against drinking and driving.

Zanu PF apologist and Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe leader Johannes Ndanga has prophesied the return of the Zimbabwe dollar in the next five years, and pleaded with top government officials to take his sensational prophecy seriously, claiming it was an authentic message from God.

Addressing thousands of Zvapupu ZvaJesu Apostolic Church pilgrims and government officials on Saturday in Mahusvu village, Chikomba Central district in Mashonaland East province, Ndanga claimed that his prophesy had been corroborated by other prophets at the same pilgrimage.

Ndanga said before the return of the Zimdollar, the economy would first nosedive steeply and then pick up.

“I am saying this today before this gathering that the Zimbabwean dollar is retuning four to five years from now and people should be calm. The Minister of Industry, Minister of Finance and Reserve Bank governor should start putting modalities in place as the local currency will bounce back five
years from now,” Ndanga said.

“This is what the spirit has said, that the Zimbabwean dollar is returning, all your troubles five years from now will be over. But there is going to be a time where things are going to be tough economically before stabilising as time goes on and getting better at last.”

Government dumped by the Zimdollar in 2009 after it had become worthless and adopted the multi-currency system which is dominated by the United States dollar.

“I repeat: Four of five years from now, the Zimbabwean dollar will be back. The United States dollar will also be there, working alongside our own currency. The Zimbabwean dollar will be a little bit weaker than the United States dollar, but the US dollar will later vanish, leaving our local currency in circulation,” Ndanga said.

Last August, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya warned against the rushed re-introduction of the local currency, saying any move to bring it back into the economy as it stands would be suicidal.
In his maiden mid-term monetary policy statement presentation, Mangudya advised government to demonetise the Zimdollar to restore confidence in the financial markets.

Mangudya also said the multiple currency system adopted in 2009 would remain in force until such a time the economy was stable enough to permit a rebirth of the local currency.

But Ndanga defended his prophecy and even invited Industry and Commerce minister Mike Bimha’s representative Achibold Makari to the podium and pleaded with him to relay the message to his principals in government.
Bimha, who was supposed to be the guest of honour at the church gathering, had reportedly travelled to South Africa on a business trip.

“I am the one who was told by the Holy Spirit in 2012 and 2013 that (MDC-T leader Morgan) Tsvangirai would lose the election and that after losing, the MDC would split and that (former secretary-general Tendai) Biti would form his own party while some of its members would be sacked. And it came to pass,” Ndanga added.

“Even what transpired within your party (the split in Zanu PF) was prophesied, but we did not want to publicise it. Now the Holy Spirit is saying we should respect those who started the indigenous churches in Zimbabwe, and the priests. The Zimbabwean dollar is returning, and it will come to pass,” Ndanga said.

In the run-up to the July 2013 elections, Ndanga — who claimed to be representing 100 apostolic prophets — told ruling party supporters that President Robert Mugabe was going to win the polls by a wide margin and presented the veteran politician with a self-made “Life Presidency Certificate”.

RBZ last year unveiled four new coins in denominations of one, five, 10 and 25 cents before adding another 50c bond coin this year as part of efforts to stabilise the economy.

Meanwhile, Ndanga posthumously honoured Zvapupu ZvaJesu Apostolic Church founder July Jahwi Madhonho Chirwa with a five-star Official Order and Merit Award (OOMA) and certificate.

The certificate was received by the deceased’s son Jameson Chirwa, who is the church’s new leader. The award is given to founding members of indigenous apostolic churches who also participated in the liberation struggle.
Chirwa died in 1998 after forming the church in 1962.

Zvapupu ZvaJesu has branches in Cape Verde, Malawi, Namibia and Mozambique, among others.

JOHANNE Masowe eChishanu apostolic sect leader, Ishmael Chokurongerwa told a Harare court Monday that Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ), president Johannes Ndanga, wanted to take over as the country’s vice president.

Ndanga was said to have claimed he had been given classified information indicating President Robert Mugabe was soon to step down due to old age with then deputy Joice Mujuru taking over.

Mujuru has since been fired for allegedly plotting to force the 91-year-old leader out of office.

In his defence during a public violence trial, Chokurongerwa corroborated statements made by his congregants that Ndanga accused him of having caused the brawl which left ACCZ officials, journalists and police officers injured last May because his sect had refused to pray for him to successfully take over from Mujuru.

The assaulted group had accompanied Ndanga to announce the ban of the sect following reports of rampant child and other rights abuses at its Chokurongerwa’s Budiriro shrine.

Chokurongerwa, who broke down while giving evidence before Magistrate Milton Serima, said Ndanga had pointed out that, President Robert Mugabe would retire because of old age adding that Mujuru would automatically take over.

“Police officers visited my shrine twice but did not find anything wrong with our sect’s practices,” he said.

“The third time they came they had been ordered by Ndanga to take us to his offices. There were three portraits in his office, Mugabe’s portrait was on top, followed by Mujuru’s then his was on the bottom.

“He showed us the portraits and told us he was about to give us classified information which we were supposed to keep a secret.

“He told us the order of the portraits meant that the President would resign, Mujuru will take over and he was supposed to fill her post and begged us to pray for him which we refused. That is why he is framing me.”

The sect leader told the court he was in Hurungwe when his congregants attacked the officials.

State witnesses have identified Chokurongerwa in video footage of the incident but he denied the charge pointing out that the person they were referring to as him could be one of his church members, only identified as Nesbert.

According to the state on 30 May 2014 leaders from the ACCZ, in the company of 26 members of the police anti-riot squad, visited the shrine where Chokurongerwa and his followers were praying, with the intention to disperse them.

Ndanga then announced that the sect had been banned from operating in Zimbabwe because it violated national and Christian laws.

It is the state’s case that Chokurongerwa allegedly led the attack on police officers, members of the media and ACCZ leaders.

Members of the sect beat up the police using their religious sticks and stones while singing a religious song called Hondo yepfumo neropa (War of the spear and blood).

In total 7 officers in riot gear, journalists and members of the ACCZ were seriously injured.

A police blitz that followed saw 37 members of the sect arrested but Chokurongerwa fled into hiding. 11 of the 37 were later convicted in November 2014 and jailed for 4 years each for the crime.

After the incident, Chokurongerwa reportedly went underground for seven months before he was arrested at his rural home in Murehwa early this year.

However, Chokurongerwa denies evading arrest and says he was not aware of the investigations until he got arrested.

He is also denying charges of public violence and says he was not present when the incident happened.

A GROUP of suspected Zanu PF youths in Chitungwiza has reportedly invaded an open piece of land owned by the Anglican Church and subdivided it into residential stands for party members.

The land, which measures about 82 hectares, is located between St Mary’s Police Station and Chikwanha business centre.

The church’s spokesperson Precious Shumba said they were investigating the matter.

“We shall investigate and pursue an amicable solution to the matter. Political party youths should be encouraged to abide by the law and respect private property rights,” Shumba said.

Efforts to get a comment from Zanu PF Harare provincial youth chairperson Godwin Gomwe were fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered.

Chitungwiza Residents’ Trust (Chitrest) spokesman Marvelous Khumalo confirmed the land invasion, saying Zanu PF and MDC-T youths fought running battles over the same piece of land during the just-ended Easter holidays.

“They [Zanu PF youths] invaded and started pegging the land just before the Easter holidays. The invasions were not limited to the church land, but all other open spaces around St Mary’s,” Khumalo said. “The youths claim that the invading and parcelling out of land is part of their empowerment projects as directed by Zanu PF policies.”

This is not the first time that the land has been invaded. A few years ago, former Zanu PF councillor Retired Major Brighton Chirongwe seized the land and pegged 200 residential stands before the Church of the Province of Central Africa took him to court and won back the land. Chirongwe’s company, Chirox Properties, had lodged its designs with the Department of Physical Planning after getting the nod from Chitungwiza Municipality.

Illegal subdivision and building of houses without approval is rife in Chitungwiza. Last year, Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo set up a probe team which unearthed massive land scams involving land barons linked to Zanu PF.

LAST week Zimbabwe marked its 35th independence anniversary amidst horrific happenings across the Limpopo where its sons and daughters are being mowed down like grass by fellow Africans. Though people forged an air of normalcy at the national celebrations, we all moved about with the dreadful images of our persecuted brothers and sisters imprinted on our minds.

It’s no secret that the last 15 years have been smoldering. That close to 3 million Zimbabweans are living in South Africa is clear testimony that home is no longer best. “Here not safe, home not safe” were the words of one man during the xenophobic attacks. The economic deterioration has been unrelenting.

Against this backdrop, over the last five years, scores of self proclaimed ‘men and women of God’ have risen who continue speaking prosperity and declaring abundance in a land teeming with poverty. They are well-known by their opulent lifestyles, even rivaling millionaire business moguls.

These men and women have had phenomenal success evidently because of what they promise. I guess the man was right who said, “You can only talk to a hungry man in terms of bread.” They have prophesied economic boon at every turn. Year in, year out we have heard, ‘Zimbabwe will flow with honey’ and ‘Zimbabwe soon will be Africa’s economic hub’.

It is crucial to check whether these prophecies of prosperity are in sync with the situation on the ground. The Bible imposes very stringent requirements on all people who claim to speak for God. There is impregnability about a message that comes from God: it is flawless and fail-safe: “… When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follows not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: though shall not be afraid of him” (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). The true prophet of the Lord predicts with exactness that which comes to pass.

This verse is simply saying that it’s either a prophet is true or fake – no neutrals. From biblical times to date, false prophets have existed alongside genuine ones. The distinction, though, has always been clear; for instance when Elijah contended with the prophets of Baal he prevailed. When Moses’ rod turned into a snake, pharaoh’s prophets did likewise but theirs were swallowed in an apparent show of dominance. God’s true prophets never fail; they are always spot-on because they do not speak things of their own. They speak for God and as a result are accurate ten out of ten times. There is no margin for error in their prophecy.

Now, this new breed of prophets that has risen deserves scrutiny as they are merchants of promising congregants wealth daily? I will not misdirect myself by jumping from a myriad of prophecies we have been subjected to but I will confine this article to the one prophecy that we all know has been delivered by all the well-known prophets in Zimbabwe: economic prosperity. I am not making this up because the record speaks for itself. “The Lord is setting Zimbabwe free from economic bondage … divine solutions are coming”, we have been told. Ironic, isn’t it? Absolutely detached from the situation on the ground, isn’t it?

It seems we, as a people, have become so weighed down by social distress that we have lost the power of objective foresight. How can we honestly be made to believe, every year that we will experience miraculous boom when jobs are being lost daily? The poverty and suffering is deepening. Currently, a combination of perennial poor planning and adverse weather conditions threatens to unleash one of the severest food crises Zimbabwe has witnessed in the past few years.

Further, indications are that up to 30 percent of the national food crop planted this season is a complete write off. The unemployment rate is perched at close to 90% and one can only imagine the turmoil. Add to that, the menacing liquidity crunch which has made conducting business in the country as easy as breathing under water.

Company closures continue unbridled as the fangs of the economic crisis sink deeper. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) stated that 300 workers are being retrenched each week. Evidently, the economy is in comatose. The economic grind has created a breeding ground for a plethora of social ills. It’s really sad!

Now the question is; when will this prosperity we have been promised in the last 5 years come? Are these men and women really speaking for God? Are they true prophets at all?

Clearly, nothing exposes these so-called prophets than the situation on the ground.

Seventh Day Adventist church world leader, Ted Wilson says Zimbabwe could rise again and become a strong economy if its people and leaders return to “God’s way and stick to his plan”.

Wilson, who is in the country for a three-week evangelical crusade in Chitungwiza told The Standard that “God has a better plan for Zimbabwe and restoration is insight as long as people return to his plan of salvation and hope only in him”.

“If people were to return to God’s plan, the Lord we serve has a better future for individuals, the community and the nation at large. My message to the people here is that let us stick to his promise, his grace is sufficient for our needs and we shall progress as a country and a people,” he said.

The United States based Adventist church leader said he would be dedicating his three-week stay in Zimbabwe to praying for the country’s leadership who have afforded its citizen the freedom of worship.

“It is critical that people appreciate what this government has done for them. Had it not been for the freedom of worship that this government affords its people, we would not be here. I will be praying for the leadership of this country and its people for God’s grace and never failing love,” he said.

“It’s amazing what we are seeing here. God is doing wonders, as we minister to thousands of Chitungwiza residents people are receiving God as their personal saviour and we are also delighted that we are giving free health to the community, something we hope as a church make a complete person.”

The Seventh Day is one of the world’s largest denominations with membership estimated at 20 million worldwide.

According to figures from the local church leadership, the evening crusades are drawing thousands of people with at least 18 000 people attending every evening service to listen to the word of God.

Besides the main crusade in Chitungwiza, Wilson is travelling with 87 other preachers who are ministering in various centres in cities and towns countrywide.

The church is targeting 30 000 people to be baptised on the closing day on Saturday May 30.

The crusade runs under the theme Revelation of Hope.

Besides the preaching aspect, the church is offering free medical assistance to many thousands of people in need of assistance. Over 13 000 people had been attended to by doctors and over 600 medical professionals as at Thursday. One of the church’s humanitarian wing, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency Adra-Zimbabwe drilled 12 boreholes in Chitungwiza to help alleviate water challenges.

Adra-Zimbabwe director, Judith Musvosvi handed over the boreholes to Wilson who gave them to government and the local authority. National Adventist health ministry’s director, Pastor Innocent Gwizo said they were targeting 17 000 people to be helped by the free health expo.

“God sent us to preach and heal the soul physically, spiritually and socially and that is what we are doing,” he said.

A BISHOP with Kuwadzana Apostolic Church in Harare left Mutare Civil court in stitches after he offered to pay $20 a month as maintenance for his illegitimate child with a local woman, Senzani Muguti.

Moses Masinga approached the court seeking a downward variation of his maintenance from $60 which he was ordered to pay last year to $20, saying he could no longer afford.

He told the court that he was married with four children.

“Your Worship I cannot afford because I eke a living from helping casting out demons from possessed people and earn $80 a month,” he said.

But Muguti maintained that Masinga earns a lot of money from the people who seek his services.

She said Masinga had an influential position in the church and gets a lot of privileges from church members.

“This man is trying to mislead the court. He gets a lot of money from his church,” said Muguti.

Magistrate Yeukai Chigodora ordered the Bishop to pay $30 with effect from April 30.

WIVES of the incarcerated Robert Martin Gumbura serving a 40 year jail term, have not given up on the cleric and have over the past few weeks attracted attention each time the cleric appeared in court.

Gumbura’s wives always come in their numbers, mostly nine out of eleven, dressed to kill and in trendy hairstyles for their rapist hubby’s routine remand.

The cleric is serving 40 years in prison for raping his congregants and is currently facing fresh charges of masterminding a riot which left five inmates dead at Chikurubi maximum prison in February.

Gumbura, together with eight other inmates, is also being charged with attempted prison break. The nine have been transferred to remand from where they are supposed to appear in court once every two weeks.

The convict and his showy bevy of beauties routinely communicate in gestures in total disregard for the court procedures in front of the either unaware or unconcerned magistrate.

Gumbura’s women are, in most cases, the first to get inside the court room to occupy the front benches from where they will be able to communicate with their husband who is the first accused in the latest case.

The all smiles Gumbura, in leg irons, will nod at each one of his wives in their sitting order as if telling them how beautiful they look and how happy he is to see them.

For those who would be showing signs of distress the cleric will cheer them up.

The women, who always walk in a group, do not seem to be jealous of each other and will even urge each other to pay attention to their husband.

Gumbura and others will be back in court on June 5 for Constitutional Court application ruling.

Gumbura is however not being represented in this application after his lawyer, Tapson Dzvetero, argued that the allegations did not disclose an offence at law.