Among other Ignatian spirituality principles is the notion of ‘Men and Women for others’ which seeks to form and encourage men and women who do not live for themselves but for God and the love for God translates into love and serving the neighbour.

The boys at St Ignatius College in Chishawasha have embraced this Ignatian principle. They recently donated to fellow students in a remote but glowing school, St Rupert’s Mayer in Makonde in Chinhoyi Diocese.

In his reflection of the visit, St Ignatius College Chaplain Fr Ignatius Padya SJ said he was happy for the charitable gesture by the students and friends of St Ignatius College who made possible the donation.

The donations were gathered from students, parents and friends of the college who contributed various items like, food, boxes of sanitary, learning materials, clothes and many other various valuable items.

Writing on his social media account Fr Padya SJ said his simple task was to deliver the donations from St Ignatius college and he acknowledge the help of other stakeholders like parents from Monte Casino who assisted in sharing the college’s Lenten campaign and also some from parents from the Anglican Church in Harare.

“Our biggest donor is none other than our very students who gave their tuck, pencils, pens, clothes, and many other items for fellow students here in Makonde. Our gifts may not cost thousands of dollars, but I am glad that young people went all the way to take from what they had to give to others,” said Fr Padya SJ.

Commending the efforts by Fr Chrispen Matsilele SJ and his Jesuit brothers at the mission, Fr Padya SJ said “am happy to be here seeing the place and more so seeing the efforts my three brother Jesuits are putting into making it a place of transformation for all around it from those in the school, the boarding facilities, the hospital and the parish.”

The Independent African Church (Mushakata) has approached the High Court seeking to evict its three pastors from church premises in Highfield, Harare, and Sakubva and Dangamvura in Mutare, accusing them of having formed their own factions in an attempt to take over the running of the church affairs.

In the application, the church cited pastors Shame Chituri of Highfield, Blessing Mbofana of Sakubva and Elisha Kambonje, occupying the Dangamvura church house, as respondents.

In his founding affidavit, the church’s secretary-general Rodwell Pangakushoma said he had approached the court seeking the evictions of the pastors by virtue of a national executive council resolution giving him the mandate to do so.

“The first and second respondents (Chituri and Mbofana) are applicant’s former pastors who formed their own faction in a failed attempt to take over the running of the church affairs sometime in 2011. During their tenure as applicant’s pastors, respondents were provided and offered accommodation by the applicant as part of their benefits,” he said.

The secretary-general said the two pastors were later dismissed from employment after a disciplinary hearing and eventually dismissed from employment, but were refusing to vacate the church’s properties.

“After this honourable court resolved the church dispute by confirming the legitimate leadership of the church . . . notices were written to the respondents to vacate the applicant’s properties, which they occupy without the applicant’s consent, but the respondents have not complied.”

He added: “As for the third respondent (Kambonje), there is no relationship of whatever type between him and the applicant and there is no basis for him to occupy applicant’s property.”

However, in his opposing affidavit, Chituri dismissed Pangakushoma’s assertions, arguing he was still the bishop of the church, adding the latter had no locus standi to institute proceedings on behalf of the church.

“There is nowhere in the (church’s) constitution where Rodwell Pangakushoma can allege to have derived the authority to institute legal proceedings on behalf of the applicant. To this end, it is submitted that this procedure was not followed and, as such, the resolution is of no significance to the church,” Chituri said.

In his response, Mbofana said he was still the district superintendent within the church and was stationed in Manicaland Province, adding he together with Chituri were still pastors of the church.

And, Kambonje also said he was a pastor in the church stationed at Dangamvura and had not been excommunicated from the same.

CELEBRATED South African gospel diva, Rebecca Malope, who last performed in the country seven years ago, is expected to arrive at the Harare International Airport this afternoon aboard South African Airways ahead of her two shows at the Gospel Divas Concert in Harare and Bulawayo at the weekend.

The 47-year-old award-winning musician will stage her first performance tomorrow at the Harare Gardens before flying to Bulawayo for another one at Queens Sports Club on Sunday, as part of celebrations to mark her three-decade-long music career.

The concert comes as a boost for gospel musicians, at a time little has been done in the genre by way of promoting local artistes, through pitting them with international artistes.

Concert organiser Barbra Chikosi of Red Rose Entertainment told NewsDay yesterday tickets for the two family shows were selling at $10 for adults and $5 for children.

“The idea of this concert is to celebrate the success of gospel female musicians who are also mothers. Rebecca Malope has had a successful musical journey, which is inspirational to many local artistes. It is for that reason that we decided to give female musicians a chance to share the stage with the gospel music icon as she celebrates 30 years in the industry,” Chikosi said.

“Those in Harare can buy their tickets for the show at all Red Rose salons, while for those in Bulawayo tickets are available at Sis Bees Restaurants, Fingers Hair Salons and Sandys Hub.”

At the Harare show, Malope will be supported by Olivia Charamba, Amanda Sagonda, Agatha Murudzwa, Carol Mujokoro, Irene Tigere, Olinda Marova-Ziwenga, Bethany Pasinawako-Ngolomi, Sharon Manyonganise, Joice Simeti, Hannah Chikosi-Mapepeta and Rumbi Zvirikuzhe while the Bulawayo concert features Abigail Mwembe, Lady Tshawe, Lorraine Stotombe, Tholakele Ngomayabo, Rudo Amor Nyoni and Thobekile Nleya, among others.

Malope has released 36 chart-topping albums that have won her several awards and sold millions of copies across the world.

Prophet Walter Magaya (photo: B Kanamhora)

PROPHET Walter Magaya on Saturday claimed during a church service in South Africa that he can heal the sick, including those with HIV, through his satellite broadcasts.

Magaya’s outrageous claims attracted about 200 hopefuls to his sermon at the Gallagher Convention Centre on Saturday.

His Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries say they use their satellite services to “heal all sicknesses and poverty”.

Some followers at the service said they paid as much as R200 a month for “partnership cards” that allowed them access to the sermons.

The church, which has a large following in Zimbabwe, makes outrageous claims that its “prophet” can heal those infected with HIV.

In recent months, the South Africa Council for the Protection and Promotion of Religious Rights and Freedoms has probed dubious practices by several churches.

However, it is yet to be established whether the PHD Ministries’ claims that it can heal HIV through satellite services will be investigated by the council.

A woman who identified herself only as Faith said she and other people came to the sermon because of the “healing that they received from prophet Walter Magaya”.

“I have been part of the church for four years now. I had [a] very bad ovarian cyst which stopped my menstruation… I touched the TV during the service and I started flowing,” claimed Faith.

PHD Ministries officials said their services were broadcast at a number of viewing locations in various countries, including Australia, the UK, Zambia, Botswana, and Mozambique.

The main branch of PHD Ministries is in Zimbabwe, where followers have died in stampedes as they sought to get to the front to be “healed” by Magaya.

In November 2014, 11 people died in a stampede in Kwekwe, 200km south of Zimbabwe’s capital Harare. Witnesses claimed the stampede occurred when people rushed to get to Magaya’s “anointing oil”.

Magaya has amassed incredible wealth in the past few years. Last year in July, Magaya bought a book chronicling the life of Zimbabwe first lady Grace Mugabe in pictures for R786, 000. He has also sponsored the cash­strapped Zimbabwe national football team.

Prophet Magaya (photo: B Kanhamora).

POLITICS and religion remain among the most controversial topics in the affairs of man. Clergymen who dabble in politics are often viewed exclusively and somewhat treated with suspicion; they are often viewed as political players dressed in religious robes.

It would appear, to some, that there should be no interface at all between politics and religion. They suppose religious people ought to sheepishly obey everything thrown in their face by the political leadership of the day; that they may not question, contribute or suggest the course that a nation should take. It is quite a sad scenario.

This is quite unfortunate and a detrimental misunderstanding of the role of religion in general. We have seen the rights of people being trampled by governments while the church stands aloof.

We have seen the economic situation plummeting to unimaginable levels while the clergy looks on. We have had cases of sickening police brutality against defenceless citizens yet the church remains quite.

We have had cases of enforced disappearances and not much has been heard from the church.

Now, it was a bit refreshing a few days ago to have Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) leader Walter Magaya meeting with the Reserve Bank Governor John Mangudya over the introduction of the feared bond notes.

Magaya has told the national leadership to be wary of some of their policies. While it was a commendable thing for a religious figure to show his interest and speak for the common good, it raises eyebrows why Zimbabwean religious leaders would selectively apply their concerns over the issues bedeviling the nation.

Why would they engage the leadership over bond notes and not the demolition of houses for example? Isn’t it embarrassing that we have religious leaders who only spring to action when it is apparent that their own interests are at stake.

There was an uncharacteristic unity among some religious leaders in slamming the idea of bond notes. PHD leader Walter Magaya stood out in his widely­publicized meeting with the Reserve Bank Governor (RBZ), John Mangudya, in which he warned him of the ‘ills’ of bringing back the widely condemned notes.

As others have noted, bond notes would obviously negatively impact mega churches’ rich pickings in tithes and offerings and they would prefer the multicurrency system to remain operational, hence the interest seen through adding their voice to the national cause.

They have strangely expressed concern over a secular matter that affects the ordinary man.

In my view, it is embarrassing and all too obvious why contemporary religious leaders would only spring to action when their personal welfare is threatened?

They would, on the contrary, earn much respect if they were vocal in the many facets of social and economic life affecting the man in the street and not only when they see a threat to their gain. Why don’t we have religious leaders who can act for the common good in matters concerning how the nation is governed?

The church has a critical role to play in governance but one wonders: where is the church when people have their houses demolished by the same government they are engaging over the ills of bond notes?

Are bond notes a worse evil than demolishing people`s houses. Where are the popular religious leaders when vendors (who constitute the bulk of their followers) are being hounded from the streets and their goods confiscated?

Are these not innocent citizens trying to eke out an honest living? Why haven’t we heard a single religious leader standing out to seek an audience with the national leadership over the thorny issue?

Why haven’t they added their voice to ameliorate the suffering of these poor souls in a country were nine out of every ten people are jobless?

An accurate look on the record of most prominent religious leaders shows that they would rather stand aloof when the citizenry is suffering and their own welfare is not threatened.

Oftentimes, we have seen religious leaders dining and wining with the very policy makers they should be telling that the country is on fire.

The tendency has been to try and seek protection while neglecting to comment on matters of common interest.

Zimbabwe is in dire need of real religious people who can stand tall and speak truth to those in power.

Policies affecting the ordinary men must be highlighted. Religious leaders should not be misconstrued to be dabbling in politics when they highlight issues affecting the ordinary man.

Pastor Evan Mawarire has raised critical concerns in his flag campaign and on how there should be urgency in fixing the economy.

Although a lot has been said about his protest, it may be a noble thing that we have the religious world adding a voice towards resolving a crisis that has lasted over a decade.

Zimbabwe needs religious and spiritual leaders who take an active interest in issues of national governance. Let’s speak real truth to power.

Roman Catholic Vicar-General, Kennedy Muguti, says political will is required to ensure that new policy measures to revive the economy announced by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) are successful.

Muguti said depositors and captains of industry are skeptical about the new measures that will lead to the introduction of bond notes as they have lost confidence in the government’s economic policies.

In remarks at a discussion organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Social Communications Commission on whether Zimbabwe could be better off without the U.S currency, Muguti said the interventions by the central bank should have been done after consultations with all stakeholders.

The RBZ announced a raft of measures to revive the economy which include among other issues, daily cash withdrawal limits, the introduction of bond notes and use of plastic money.

But depositors and industry have come out strongly against the measures in particular the introduction of bond notes. Muguti said they have all the reasons to be skeptical about these new measures.

“While the government is making frantic efforts, including you (RBZ governor) to dismiss the fears by the depositors and investors, the situation on the ground shows that the people have lost trust and confidence in the economic policies you are coming up with,” Muguti said.

He said the people’s fears are reasonable given the past experiences where many of them are poorer today as a result of government policies.

“Many are in their poverty state today because they did not recover from that back stab that they experienced and today when you ask them just continue to look forward, no they will look backward because they know that somebody can come back from the back and stab them again. So, this is the reason why people are very careful and also this is the reason why people are saying ‘I would rather go and take out may $500 and keep it with me’,” he said.

But Barclays Zimbabwe managing director, George Guvamatanga, said the interventions by the central bank are welcome given the indiscipline by depositor’s banks and other players.

He said if not properly applied as was happening in Zimbabwe the U.S dollar could be harmful to the economy.

Guvamatanga said putting daily withdrawal limits at $1,000 per day was unrealistic given that the average monthly salary in Zimbabwe was $374.

“I actually think that a weekly withdrawal limit of $500 will be adequate for day to day transacting,” said Guvamatanga.

Guvamatanga admitted that the cost of using plastic money and Real Time Gross Settlement or RTGS was too high.

He urged fellow bankers to revise their charges to encourage the banking public to use plastic money and RTGS.

He added that Zimbabwe over-opened its economy when it dollarized in 2009 by allowing everyone to use foreign currency even for local services.

Guvamatanga said in light of the rampant abuse of the U.S dollar, the RBZ’s new policy measures are welcome.

“We need to find a means of transacting, a means of payment which doesn’t get abused. The U.S dollar as a means for local transactions has been abused and there is absolutely no way as an economy we can sustain it,” Guvamatanga said.

RBZ governor, John Mangudya, said it was good that some bankers supported his measures and would consider their proposals to lower the daily withdrawal limits and charges.

Despite the $1,000 daily withdrawal limits banks have set limits at between $200 and $400 due to the cash crunch.

Guvamatanga suggested a weekly $500 withdrawal limit.

WITH most churches angry with Primary and Education Ministry’s directive for pupils to recite the recently introduced national pledge, the Vapostori say the move was the best way to instil discipline in children.

The national pledge is part of the newly introduced curriculum and forces primary and secondary school children to swear their allegiance to government, Zanu PF heroes and the liberation struggle which brought Zimbabwe’s independence.

The introduction of the pledge was followed by the ban on Scripture Union activities which Minister Lazarus Dokora said contradicted the spirit of the new curriculum which emphasises on ‘national pride’.

Controversial Archbishop Johannes Ndanga said his Apostolic Christian Council (ACP) fully supports the national pledge as it promotes “patriotism”.

Ndanga claims that his church has about 1200 church branches. “As Apostolic Christian Church we are fully behind the national pledge and see nothing wrong with it as it upholds the Zimbabwean identity,” Ndanga told a stakeholders meeting in Harare Saturday.

“It reminds and teaches the children of Zimbabwe their history and it motivates people to cherish their country,” he added.

Ndanga’s comments come after the Evangelical Fellowship Church of Zimbabwe (EFZ) and the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denomination (ZHCD) said they were seeking a meeting with the ministry officials to discuss the concerns around the national pledge.

In the same meeting, EFZ and ZHCD officials called for wisdom in the building of a united nation and the development of the education sector.

Last month, some parents took the Government, Education Minister and some Headmasters to the Constitutional Court seeking an order stopping the national pledge policy arguing that it violates their children’s rights as it was in fact a prayer.

The vapostori have been previously been accused of denying their children access to education and medical treatment.

Pilgrims belonging to the Magis Zimbabwe Network on Sunday 29 May 2016 graced the Sacred Heart Parish in Banket to celebrate Corpus Christi Day with the youth.

The warm visit precedes the July 14-24 Magis 2016 Experience in which the group will partake in Poland under the theme, “TO GIVE AND NOT COUNT THE COST,” prior to their participation in the majestic World Youth Day in Krakow. 42 young people, including 4 pilgrims from Sacred Heart parish in the rural Banket will take part in this faith sharing pilgrimage.

Following the Solemnity of the Corpus Christi celebrations, with the local parishioners, Magis pilgrims gathered with the Catholic Youth Association in an experience sharing exercise conducted in a Magis Circle style.

Miss Haleema Mekani, a Magis pilgrim said the experiences were fulfilling as they brought together the youths making them one body as was the teaching of Corpus Christi.

Kudakwashe Chamazo from Sacred Heart parish also taking part in the Magis 2016 added that the spirit of oneness brought about by this gathering should remain amongst the youths in the parish.

The Magis group continues to pray for the success of the Magis 2016 and WYD Krakow experiences for it is an opportunity for young people to embrace the richness of being a Catholic, the diversity in cultures among other rich opportunities this pilgrimage presents.

A 12 months old baby was among the six children who on Monday died in Mashonaland East’s Muriwo Village under Chief Neshwangwe when a baptism ceremony ended in tragedy.

Police Wednesday confirmed the death of two boys and four girls during a baptism ceremony in Mutorahuku stream in the early hours of Monday.

According to the police, Maud Dzuke and Jane Ruvinga, both of whom took the six for baptism, have since been arrested in connection with the deaths.

It is believed that the ceremony was organised by an as yet unnamed selfstyled local prophetess. Police spokesperson, Charity Charamba, said two other children were admitted at Sadza hospital and were in a serious condition.

The deceased have been confirmed as Tafadzwa Dzukwe, Tinotenda Dzukwe, Emmanuel Dzukwe, Shamiso Pfumidza, Blessed Muvadi and Patience Pfumidza. It was not clear when both Mau and Ruvinga were going to appear in court facing charges of culpable homicide.

FRANCIS Pfumbidza (39) left his home in Jeche village in Buhera and headed for Tiemba village under Chief Neshangwe in the neighbouring Chivhu district.

He had followed his family to reunite with his erstwhile wife and their two children.

A year earlier, his wife, Maud Dzvuke (30), had left with the children after he was afflicted with a mental sickness.

So last Sunday, with a wheelbarrow containing two buckets of tomatoes for sale to fend for his children, Pfumbidza arrived at his in-laws’ homestead in Ward 26, Chikomba District, only to learn that his wife had become a “prophetess”.

He expected a warm welcome from her.

But the soft-spoken Pfumbidza was to be in for the shock of his life. Little did he know he had come to wave goodbye to his two children as it was the last time he would see them.

Two days later, his wife was to be arrested in connection with a case where six of the eight children who participated in a baptism ceremony she conducted had died.

Among the dead were two of his children with Maud.

“I am still confused. The whole incident is scary and I cannot bear it. I have lost children and my wife is in police hands over the tragedy,” Pfumbidza told NewsDay Weekender a day after the tragedy, which struck on Tuesday.

He still bears wounds on his forehead from the burns he said he sustained when Maud scalded him with charcoal as she tried to “exorcise” the demons she said were responsible for his ailment.

On the fateful day, Maud locked her husband inside the house before taking the children to Mutorahuku stream for the morning baptism ceremony, popularly known as Jorodhani by apostolic sects.

A member of the Johane Masowe Yechishanu apostolic sect, Maud had a shrine at the Dzvuke homestead.

“Maud locked me inside the house when she took the children to the stream. But before that, I peeped through the window and realised that there was a scuffle between her and another prophet who had visited the homestead. The argument was so heated to the extent that Maud broke the two clay pots at her shrine. She left for the river in a rage,” Pfumbidza recalled.

A sombre atmosphere engulfed Tiemba village on Wednesday as villagers were yet to come to terms with the deaths of the six children.

Maud lost her own two children Shamiso (4) and Patience (9), while her brother Trymore Dzvuke lost two children, Tafadzwa (5) and Tinotenda (3).

Another brother, Onwell Dzvuke (36), lost a child, Emmanuel, while the accused’s sister, Naume, who was also at the baptism ceremony, lost a child, Blessed (4).

The accused person, together with her sister-in-law Jane Taruvinga, were arrested in Buhera after fleeing from the scene.

Tafadzwa Kondo (17), who witnessed the incident, told this paper that Maud and Taruvinga behaved like possessed people during the ceremony.

Kondo, a Form 4 pupil at Chimowa Secondary School in Chikomba, was also baptised on the same day and managed to rescue one of the children who had taken part in the ceremony.

“Madzimai Maud took us to the stream early in the morning for the baptism ceremony. Since I wanted to go to school, I was baptised first,” he recalled.

“After coming out of the water, Madzimai Maud began hitting me with wet sand. She then baptised another child who then began frothing. I took the child home against Maud’s wish and had to cook porridge for her (the child). She came back to life.

“I realised that there was danger and went on to unlock the door of the house in which Pfumbidza was. We both went to the stream and upon arrival, I was shocked to see two bodies floating in the stream.

“At this time, Maud and Taruvinga were in the stream holding hands praying and singing Hosannah.”

When he told them that the children had died, he said Maud started behaving like a possessed woman and claimed she had eaten the children.

“I later discovered that the other children were under the water. With the help of Pfumbidza, we ferried the children home and placed them at the shrine,” Kondo, who looked terrified by the incident, recollected.

“Maud and Taruvinga followed us and upon arrival, Maud saw the bodies scattered at the shrine and threatened to kill herself. She told us to sing Hosannah so that the children will wake up, but nothing happened.”

He said Maud and Taruvinga then fled from the village. A report was later made to the police who attended the scene and ferried the bodies to the mortuary.

“My wife died recently and left two of my children in Maud’s custody. I only got a phone call in Harare that one of the children had died during the ceremony. I am devastated. I cannot believe it,” Onwell said.

The pool stream that claimed the children’s lives was shallow — measuring just 60cm deep.

Villagers were still speculating whether the children died of coldness, while others attributed the tragedy to evil spirits haunting the Dzvuke family.

There were also claims the children could have been killed by a mermaid.

Another sect member only identified as Virginia, who attended the funeral, said Maud violated the rules governing the sect as it does not believe in baptism.

Acting village head, Davison Maravanyika (78), said he had never seen such a tragedy.

“This is too much for me. I was shocked to see lifeless bodies of young souls scattered all over the shrine. The whole village is troubled. We need to know the real cause of this. As for now, we are all confused,” he said.
Ward 26 councillor Roselyn Mudzviti appealed to government and the police to tighten screws on illegal traditional and faith healers.

Meanwhile, hunger is wreaking havoc in the Chikomba area popularly known as Kunjanja.

At the Dzvuke homestead, it was a sorry sight as the family admitted they had no money to buy food and coffins for the funeral, among other issues.

However, the area’s representative in Parliament, Edgar Mbwembwe, donated six bags of maize on Wednesday to assist with the procession.

For now, Pfumbidza is a dejected man as two days after the incident, none of his family members had travelled to Chivhu.

The tomatoes he had brought were no longer for raising money for his children, but for use during the funeral.

POLICE last Friday questioned the head of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Shingi Munyeza, after he allegedly described planned RBZ bond notes as “infamous”.

The weekly Standard newspaper quoted EFZ leader, Shingi Munyeza, confirming the development, adding that he had assured police that he was a “lawabiding citizen”.

However, Munyeza, some of whose comments about bond notes were on social media, was not arrested.

A member of the outspoken Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations, Munyeza is one of the many notable figures that have voiced their concerns about pending bond notes.

In statement released last month, Munyeza warned Zimbabweans that they faced yet another round of severe shortages of entails such as power, fuel, water and cash.

The clerics reported receiving many expressions of concern from their congregants over the soon to be introduced bond notes which Mugabe refers to as “surrogate currency”.

Politician, David Coltart, last week said he thought bond notes were being introduced as part of the elite’s bid to have the RBZ pay off their huge debts.

Since RBZ boss, John Mangudya, announced plans to introduce bond notes many Zimbabweans have expressed their horror, fearing that it was a way of bringing back the dreaded Zim dollar.

The Zim dollar was abandoned in 2009 after hyperinflation rendered it worthless.

Many Zimbabweans have yet to recover from that record breaking hyperinflation which wiped out their savings accounts and pension.

I am writing this article with the purpose of disparaging the philosophies and the “improper” use of the Bible by self-proclaimed Pentecostal movement prophets with the objective of achieving selfish means or to spreading a “false” Gospel other from what is revealed in the Bible.

Armed with Biblical defence I shall lay bare as we go, the error of the principles of these preachers of prosperity so called Gospelneurs.

My aim is to defend the true teaching of Scripture, the truth for which many saints have sacrificed their lives.

I am writing this with no childish or hasty emotions but with gladness that God has chosen me to armour up and join Peter and Paul in fighting this wicked wave of demonic doctrine that has crept its way into the modern day church.
The “Prosperity Gospel” is nothing but a self-enrichment scheme being carried out in the name of God – with some selected passages of Scripture, which are interpreted outside their intended context.

Their message preys on people’s greed, lust for moneyand desperation for a better life and lures the greedy and the innocent into a religion which worships Mammon rather than the true God.

We seek Jesus and hope to find Him in the church, not worldly riches for it is written in the Bible from Matthew 6:33-34, ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble’.

Gospelneurs are promising believers automatic material and financial prosperity during this life ignoring the reality of the fact that even the righteous may undergo suffering and deprivation, as demonstrated in the experience of Job. Matthew 6:33 does not say, ‘But seek first material wealth and a luxurious lifestyle, and the kingdom of God will be added to you’, as the Gospelneurs’ doctrine proclaims.

“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarrelling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:12-14)

The purpose of religion is to enrich the soul, not to materially enrich the flesh. Since Gospelneurs reduce God’s blessings to material gain, anyone who falls into financially hard times must be guilty of sin or unbelief.

If God’s will is for everyone to be wealthy, then anyone who is poor is suffering from his own unbelief or disobedience.

This places a terrible burden on the poor for it is unfair and unbiblical, (Conrad Chibango, Lecturer at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, Great Zimbabwe University, in his article entitled “Prosperity Gospel, A Path out Of a Socioeconomic Crisis? The Case of the PHD Ministries of Walter Magaya, Zimbabwe, writes, “Magaya believes that both individuals and society at large should be pro-active in terms of promoting wealth by venturing into business.”

According to him, business venture is important because it supplements salaries. During one of his question-and-answer sessions with his congregants he stated that not going into business was tantamount to stupidity.

‘If you are a member of PHD and you rely on your salary then you are daft,’ he said.  For him, every individual has the capacity to run a profitable business (Mataire 2015).

In his view, there is no salary that will ever be enough for anyone. Instead, if anyone wanted to be rich, they should create their own empires. This route to prosperity also demands one to save money in order to invest, not in cars and luxurious things, but in houses and properties (Magaya [n.d.]a).”

In other words he was saying Lazarus was a stupid, worthless and lazy person who spent all his days loafing at a rich man’s gate, yet the Bible says Lazarus went to heaven but the rich man did not and when he was anguishing in hell, he asked Abraham for Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool his tongue, for he was in agony in the flames but Abraham told him it was impossible.

He then asked Abraham to send Lazarus back to life to warn his brothers and Abraham said it was not necessary since Moses and the Prophets were already sent.

Jesus turned water into wine but he clearly specified that it was not his purpose or His mission on Earth. Why? Because it did not help anyone in a spiritual way! Jesus came for our souls.

He did not come to solve our economic woes. He came to warn us that this world, because of Satan, was going to end and He was the spaceship to another but much better place (Heaven, where Satan cannot be) and if we wanted to come with Him, all we needed to do was to obey Him, Moses and the Prophets.

If it is not so, we may as well dismiss the validity of our salvation since it is but a secondary thought.

Gospelneurs on their pulpits imply that every rich person is already saved without obeying God’s commandments, thereby, mistaking materialism for salvation. Jesus’ first objective being the getting rid of poverty is an insult to God’s salvation plan for humanity.

The problem of humanity was not and is not an economic one; man has a spiritual problem of sin.

Therefore, the primary need of humanity is not wealth but salvation from sin and the bondage of Satan.

The angel that came to Joseph made it plain that the child’s name was to be “Jesus, because he is the one who will save his people from their sins.” The law and prophets came into place just for one reason – because of men’s need for salvation from sin not economic liberty.

All prophets and the law were pointing towards Jesus the deliverer from sin. If poverty was the foremost plan of Jesus then we first need economic analysts to come talk to the church folks and then preaching can follow later when all the economic challenges are sorted out.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3) The house of many rooms mentioned here by Jesus in this scripture is the life goal of every ambitious mind.

Those who aim to be billionaires, at the same time neglecting the needs of the spirit, lack ambition. One is not ambitious if he works all his life accumulating worldly wealth at the expense of his seat in heaven. (Mark 8:36)      ‘For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?’

God loves us the way we are even in poverty, He is with us, always and one does not need to have a thousand employees under him in order to feel the presence of Jesus in his life. One does not need to drive a posh car as manifestation of the presence of God in his life. Charms, goblins and sorcery can also provide that for people.

True riches incorruptible are of the spirit and only God knows who is who.( The story of Lazarus) What about Christ himself speaking in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also?”

Does it sound like He is saying that Billionaires must store their billions in some bank in heaven? No! May the Lord Jehovah our God have mercy on them!
(2 Timothy 2:4) ‘Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, (4) and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths’.

The most unfortunate part of this tragedy is that there are some people who actually want to pay to receive God’s blessings as if they never read a single verse in the Bible or even saw the good great book altogether! On our knees my brothers and sisters, praying, is the road to paradise.

Curse no one but Satan for he is the enemy, not your hyena riding relative. Love everyone, and if one takes your robe, offer him your tunic also! Anyone who disagrees with that is ‘turning away from listening to the truth’ and anyone who agrees with Makandiwa (judgement night) about cursing an enemy has ‘accumulated a teacher to suit his own passions!’ Gospelneurs are not competent or equipped for every good work.

The Bible says there is no benefit in loving only the ones who love you for sinners do the same.

So if one curses his enemy, then he is no different from him subsequently dooming the both of them. These Gospelneurs are teaching a different kind of gospel, a gospel we were warned about by the Apostles that some ‘itching ears’ are going to accumulate.
Although we are not obligated to be poor, the chief ambition in a Christian’s life is to accumulate heavenly treasures.

The rich are often satisfied with the earth and find it difficult to give up their earthly riches. The snare of riches is that there can never be enough.

There is no end to the lengths the heart will go when it is set on a desire for money. Remember when Magaya used to drive a Demio?

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9) Thus, to use prayer as a means to request of God worldly gain is to ask inappropriate.

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)

Instead of such things, one should be asking for spiritual gifts such as wisdom, peace, patience and the Holy Spirit.

James 1:5; Luke 11:13 Jesus said, “…every one that hath forsaken houses… or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” (Matthew 19:29)

Here Jesus plainly states that in order to gain the heavenly reward we must leave all. Jesus did not mean that we should literally sell everything we own, but that we would be gladly willing to sacrifice earthly treasures, ambitions and reputation, if God’s providence directs—so that

He might be glorified in our lives. Jesus did not offer the blind worldlywealth; instead He opened their eyes so that they could see their tools when they laboured, so that they could see their way to the synagogue, so that they could not beg for money in the streets. So that they are able to efficiently work for themselves and for their God for such impediments makes it difficult for one to be completely faithful to God. Why did Jesus come preaching the Word and not dishing out gold nuggets?
One must ask himself: is he ready to sacrifice his personal time to serve the Lord; is he ready to change his goals in life to better suit the service of the Lord; is he even willing to remove himself from a job if it interferes with his spiritual goals and principles; is he willing to stand for righteousness even if it means the loss of friendships? If he agrees, delighting to do well purely for the purpose of pleasing God, then he is developing in godlikeness—becoming His agent in the distribution of the heavenly bounties which He has provided for all who love Him.

To be godlike is to be generous and unselfish—seeking the interests and welfare of others. “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.” (1 Corinthians 10:24) “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do well unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap … For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim 6:6-10). In contrast to material prosperity, true prosperity in God’s sight is the riches of faith. ” … God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom … “(James 2:5) Jesus said in Luke 9:23, 24, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Yes, the Scriptures declare that “if we suffer, we shall also reign with him…” (2 Timothy 2:12) As Christians, we must exchange our hopes and loves of this earthly life and its riches for a heavenly hope of eternal life. This high privilege and reward will cost us something; in fact, it will cost us all of our earthly goods and even life itself.

THE Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (Zinatha) spokesperson George Kandiero says it is high time that faith healers, Pentecostal pastors and prophets registered with the association.

According to Kandiero, in terms of the law these people are practising illegally as they are doing so without licences.

He said most of them are not registered and are swindling people of their money under the guise of religion.

Kandiero said the prophets must take advantage of the current country wide outreach programme through which traditional healers are being registered and formalise their work as such an exercise was last done five years ago.

He added: “They should also register with the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council under the Ministry of Health and Child Care.”

This, according to Kandiero, will help to protect the citizens who seek help from the faith healers and prophets.

Kandiero said most faith healers and prophets were practising and prescribing healing aliments as done by traditional healers.

“One has to go before an ethics committee which is responsible for screening new members and this is made up of herbalists, spiritual and faith healers who vet prospective members before being registered,” he said.

“Pentecostal prophets who touch people’s head while praying and healing them and other such faith healers are all traditional healers,” said Kandiero.

According to the law, anyone who heals people using traditional methods is a traditional healer.

According to the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council Act of 1981 the practice of traditional medicine includes every act—the objective of which is to treat, identify, analyse, or diagnose, without the application of operative surgery, any illness of the body or mind by traditional methods.

An all-girls St Dominic’s Chishawasha choir emerged ultimate winners of the inspiring Catholic Secondary School Association 2016 music competitions held at St Peters Kubatana recently.

The competitions which drew seventeen Catholic secondary schools were highly attended and was a relief for music lovers currently starved by the suspension of parish choral competitions in the Archdiocese of Harare.

It was a fierce battle which gave adjudicators a torrid time in determining who was going to be crowned the champions in a competition which display high quality music standards.

St Dominic’s gave an outstanding performance much to the applause of revellers present joining ranks with highly ranked girls’ high schools like Regina Mundi.

St Francis of Assisi which has also created a great singing culture within their ranks were announced as runners up.

Speaking at the end of the competitions Chaplain of St Ignatius College, Fr Ignatius Padya SJ said that its really encouraging to see Catholic school children gathered to praise God through song.’

“I am very much satisfied with the level of singing and just like what St Augustine said, in singing we pray twice, the young people have lived up to that quote” said Fr Padya SJ.

Jehovah’s Witnesses will launch their three-day annual regional conventions under the theme Remain Loyal to Jehovah on Friday next week, an official has said.

Spokesperson for the organisation John Hunguka at the weekend said an estimated 100 000 were expected to attend the conventions countrywide, while 42 000 congregants will gather at the 13 conventions that will be held at the Harare Assembly Hall along Simon Mazorodze Road and Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.

Hunguka said 10 of the 13 conventions will be held at the assembly hall and three others will
be at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.

“We are inviting the public to attend their 2016 Remain Loyal to Jehovah! regional conventions. Beginning on Friday, July 22, the Witnesses will be hosting these free events in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“There will be 13 conventions with an estimated total attendance of 42 000. The main venue will be Harare Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses where a total of 10 conventions will be held. Three will be at the Aquatic Complex in Chitungwiza. Countrywide, the Witnesses will be holding 33 conventions. This is an increase of 18% from last year. The estimated total attendance countrywide is over 100 000.”

He added that the three-day programme will feature 49 presentations, each exploring the theme Remain Loyal to Jehovah.

Hunguka also stated that: “We strongly believe that loyalty is an essential part of any healthy relationship. Our conventions this year feature content that will help people develop stronger bonds with friends, family members and, above all, with God. We are confident that all who attend will enjoy this programme.”

“Additionally, the Witnesses have prepared 35 video segments specifically for the program plus two short films that will be shown on Saturday and Sunday. Each day, the morning and afternoon sessions will be introduced by music videos recorded for the convention,” Hunguka said, adding: “The Witnesses will distribute a special invitation to the public welcoming them to attend the programme. The dates and locations for each convention can be found on the Witnesses’ official website, jw.org.”

Zimbabwe-pastor-Evan Mawarire.

Firebrand pastor Evan Mawarire has called for another shutdown this Wednesday and Thursday, insisting the government has not yet responded to the people’s demands.

In a video posted on his Facebook page Monday morning, the pastor said, government remains adamant on the calls of the people.

“…Because of government’s failure to respond to our issues as Zimbabweans on what we are asking for on Wednesday the 13^th and Thursday the 14^th we are shutting Zimbabwe down again,” Mawarire declared.

The pastor added: “Commuter omnibuses on Wednesday and Thursday don’t move about, businesses close, schools we urge you to close. Families stay indoors.”

Mawarire urged Zimbabweans to shun violence and demonstrate peacefully in their homes.

“Just close everywhere, remember no violence, don’t destroy each other’s properties just stay at home. Remember pray for Zimbabwe. Hear me, if you and me don’t stand nothing will change. They must listen to us. Let us make history and make this government change,” Mawarire appealed to Zimbabweans.

Mawarire has declared to continue using nonviolent resistance until the government fires corrupt cabinet ministers, pays state workers’ salaries on time, puts an end to police roadblocks and brutality.

Mawarire also castigated the police for its brutality despite having benefited from the stay away that happened last week.

“We demonstrated in order for you the police to get your salaries and you are treating us like this no, it is not fair. It is not right and we cannot allow that,” Mawarire said.

Since July 1 demonstrations have been the order of the day in Zimbabwe, it all began with protesters forcing authorities to close the Beitbridge border between South Africa and Zimbabwe where property was destroyed demanding the lifting of an import ban on basic goods.

On Wednesday July 6, business came to a halt in all major cities in response to a #ShutDownZimbabwe2016 call on social media.

Schools, shops, government offices and vending markets were closed throughout the country.

Zim Shutdown Wednesday and Thursday

“…Because of government’s failure to respond to our issues as Zimbabweans on what we are asking for on Wednesday the 13^th and Thursday the 14^th we are shutting Zimbabwe down again,” Mawarire declared.

The pastor added: “Commuter omnibuses on Wednesday and Thursday don’t move about, businesses close, schools we urge you to close. Families stay indoors.”

Mawarire urged Zimbabweans to shun violence and demonstrate peacefully in their homes.

“Just close everywhere, remember no violence, don’t destroy each other’s properties just stay at home. Remember pray for Zimbabwe. Hear me, if you and me don’t stand nothing will change. They must listen to us. Let us make history and make this government change,” Mawarire appealed to Zimbabweans.

Mawarire has declared to continue using non­violent resistance until the government fires corrupt cabinet ministers, pays state workers’ salaries on time, puts an end to police roadblocks and brutality.

Pastor Emmanuel Makandiwa (photo:M. Chibaya).

MORE Zimbabwean clerics have joined the ranks of those taking a stand against President Robert Mugabe’s administration over the deteriorating situation in the country.

In a charged sermon delivered on Sunday morning which went viral, one of the country’s most popular religious figures Emmanuel Makandiwa, the founder and “prophet” of the United Family International Church (UFIC) warned of more protests in the country.

“There will be a wave of demonstrations, they would stop, and start again and on the fourth time the situation will get out of hand and foreign peace­keepers will be called.”

Remember, my prophecy about bees flying to come to bite other bees that will be stinging the people,” he said.

Makandiwa’s warning came as the country is gearing up for yet another shutdown scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, again led by the citizens’ movement, fronted by Evans Mawarire, also a church pastor.

However, speaking from the border town of Beitbridge at the weekend, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko warned that the military could be used to quell future protests.

“We will look at our own ways of solving such problems … we have security forces. We cannot keep snakes growing in our backyards,” Mphoko said.

Internet and social media services were not widely available on Wednesday morning, when protesters clashed with the police in Harare and Bulawayo, in the latest displays of public dissent under Mugabe’s decades­long oppressive rule.

At the root of the protests last week were banks running short of cash, police extorting cash from motorists at widespread road blocks, delays in the payment of government salaries, and a ban on many basic imports at a time when the country is suffering from a severe drought that has left millions hungry.

Immediately after the protests, the government made an about turn on the payment of salaries for teachers and nurses.

The payment of their delayed June salaries had been deferred to mid­July, but on the back of the protests, teachers were promptly paid on Thursday.

Health sector workers were due to receive their salaries on Friday. Soldiers, police and other security services have already been paid.

The Apex Council, the public servants representative body, had urged the government to ensure it paid the outstanding public servants on Monday and Tuesday

A meeting was to held on Monday between public servants union leaders and the government over the payment of July salaries.

Indications are that union leaders will not entertain any government deal that spills over into August. “… Our position is that July salaries must be paid before the end of the month,” chairperson of the Apex Council, Cecilia Alexander, said on Monday.

Speaking at a rally in Bindura on Friday, Mugabe urged public servants to be “patient” and said the late payment of salaries was not grounds for industrial action.

In his Sunday morning service, Makandiwa warned that a section of Mugabe’s inner circle was plotting his downfall. “There are people who are after the president. There are people working against him. Our president is in trouble. He is paying people that are working against him,” he said.

He also described the imports ban put in place earlier this month by the government as a joke. “You cannot promote a product that is non­existent. All this is being done to incite people to revolt…. Remove this joke,” he said.

Makandiwa’s comments are certain to pique the government, which is already facing off against Mawarire.

Other notable religious leaders to take a critical swipe against the government include Shingi Munyeza, the senior pastor at Faith Ministries.

Last month, Munyeza was questioned by the police after he posted on social media that the country was headed for “severe turbulence” and that the economic policies of the government had failed.

The Zimbabwe Christian Alliance led by Useni Sibanda has proposed for “an all stakeholder dialogue” led by the church to deal with the “root cause” of the discontent which, includes “poverty, corruption, high handedness and misplaced economic priorities”.

Prophet Walter Magaya (photo: B Kanamhora)

‘IF you are neutral in situations of injustice then you have taken the side of the oppressor’ Desmond Tutu. The Archbishop’s prophetic remarks said it all when it comes to the Zimbabwean religious ‘prophets/fathers’ deafening silence following the injustices and violence being meted out by Zanu PF to poor, hungry citizens of Zimbabwe, the majority of whom might be their followers.

Zimbabwe is going through a difficult time and all persons of influence should at least speak out one way or the other, especially the people whose livelihoods depend on ordinary people’s pockets.

I am really just writing this article but I am aware that these so-called prophets are bed fellows with the Mugabe regime.

One incident that I remember very clearly is when Magaya bought Grace Mugabe’s book for fifty thousand United States dollars.

It is none of my business what the prophet chooses to do with his money but I can’t help but observe that this is a classic take­-from­-the-­poor-­and­-give­-to-­the-­rich case because this money is most likely from poor people’s ‘tithes’.

When you receive money from poor citizens and splash it around, making donations which contribute to propping up an evil regime, then it is only fair that when the regime starts killing and beating people you make a statement so that people know which side you stand with.

The people who follow the prophets ­ and believe in the money spinning prosperity gospel (so far to the financial gain of the prophets) ­ at least deserve that.

The role of religious people in times injustice is to stand with the powerless, in my opinion. Reverend Martin Luther King Jnr, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the fallen Archbishop Pius Ncube and the Dalai Lama are just but a few examples.

But, in the case of these Zim prophets, all I see is relentless efforts to appease Mugabe and his family.

I would, therefore, like to think that if you make such generous donations as buying a stupid book by a former typist that you have the space to stand up for the people.

If my knowledge of the Bible serves me right, even Jesus did so during his time. Random, vague prophesies like ‘the economy will crash blah, blah’ and convincing your followers to wait for blessings from God while you get your own blessings from them (only to give them to Grace Mugabe) is really not the best example the good prophets can set. I hope to see more from the men of God.

Magaya sponsored the national soccer team, something which really has nothing to do with God, so I will not hear any excuses of how getting involved in politics is ungodly.

Buying a birthday present for a dictator’s wife is as ungodly as it can get too, Makandiwa. Without these ordinary people who are being bashed, tear­gassed and killed by Mugabe, the churches would be empty.

I hope that my tone really does, at the end of the day, sound like the appeal that it is. Because this is an appeal that I’m making for the prophets not to be men of the people only when the cameras can catch them in their glimmering suits.

My mother always reminded me of a very old saying that you only get to know who your real friends are during hard times. This is just about the time for the prophets to show the world who matters the most to them; the people or the oppressor?

THE preacher behind last week’s ‘stay-away’ anti-­government protests was ordered to report to police on Tuesday, the day before more planned mass action to force President Robert Mugabe to address a worsening economy.

Evan Mawarire said he had been called by police in Harare but had not been told the purpose of his visit to the central police station. He expected to be subjected to routine questioning, he said.

“The police called to see me this morning and I will be going there because we have not broken any law,” Mawarire told Reuters.

Mawarire and his #ThisFlag social media based movement organised the biggest strike against

Mugabe’s government since 2005 last week, shutting down most businesses in the southern African nation, which is grappling with sky-high unemployment and cash shortages.

Posting on Tuesday, Mawarire said: “I am now at CID Law and Order at Central Police. I am going strong and healthy. Pray for me.”