Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his wife Elizabeth at a peace rally in Chinhoyi. (photo: M.Chibaya).

The mother of four, who is visibly battling to save her marriage, has supposedly turned to God as she strengthens herself during the tough times with bible scriptures.

“By coming here I know I am defying the odds. But as Psalm 23 says, The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures,” she said. Elizabeth already has over 8 000 likes.

Elizabeth lavished praise on her husband in one post: “As we go to sleep I thank you that my husband Morgan Tsvangirai is happy because he reverences the eternal. He finds rich joy in your commands. His children rise to power within the land. Riches and wealth are in his house. Good fortune never fails him. Life shines on Morgan. He is upright, mild, and merciful. All goes well with him. He is generous and open handed. He acts fairly.

“Never shall Morgan come to grief. His memory never fades. He has no fear of evil tidings because he trusts the eternal with a steady heart. His heart is firm and fearless certain that he will see his foes collapse. Morgan gives to the poor lavishly and good fortune never fails him. He rises to high power. Ungodly men look on him grieve, they gnash their teeth and disappear. The ungodly hope against Morgan will come to nothing.”
 
In another post Elizabeth rallies MDC supporters. “Stay strong, because things will get better. It might be stormy now but it can’t rain forever. Machinja ose musacheuke muridzo. Remember strength does not come from winning.

“Our struggles develop our strengths. When we go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that’s strength. Unity is strength. Division is weakness hence sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. Ngatibatanei semhuri imwechete [Lets unite as a family]”

Kwekwe has witnessed the birth of a self-styled prophet who has taken the city by storm after making sensational claims resulting in him commanding a huge following in the city.

The Johane Masowe sect senior prophet, Elijah Zachariah (34) claims that he spiritually assisted the recently Zanu PF Kwekwe central Member of Parliament-elect, Masango ‘Blackman’ Matambanadzo, to win elections.

“Many politicians have come to me for assistance and recently I helped the MP for Kwekwe to win the elections. Matambanadzo has even acknowledged this at his victory celebrations,” he said.

The senior prophet has done wonders including healing the insane.

“A woman has testified in the church of having been healed of breast cancer after receiving prayers from me.

“Also another woman tested HIV/AIDS negative after I had assisted her with prayers.A vast number of Pentecostal church goers come to me for help especially at night as they don’t want to be noticed,” Madzibaba Zachariah said.

A congregant, who preferred to be identified as Mai Banda, said Madzibaba Zachariah preaching is powerful and inspiring.

She further indicated that Madzibaba Zachariah has the ability to heal the sick as he has demonstrated it earlier in their church services.

The city of Kwekwe has been put under spot light since a number of prophets have been dragged before the courts for various scandals.

The recently self-styled prophet, Tagwirei Mahobo (31), was arraigned before the courts and convicted of attempting to rape one of his patients. The convict was jailed for an effective nine months.

End Time Message Church pastor Robert Martin Gumbura is set to appear in court on allegations of soliciting for sex from married church member.

The woman had approached the man of cloth seeking employment for her husband before he allegedly pestered her for sexual favours in return.

Gumbura will be answering to allegations of criminal insult and he will stand trial on September 3.

It is State’s case that on October 10 last year, the complainant went to Gumbura’s place at around 5.30 pm in connection with the employment issue about her husband.

Claims are that Gumbura began proposing love to the woman, stating that he wanted to teach her how to have sexual intercourse.

He allegedly said he wanted to make her reach climax, claiming that her husband was failing to satisfy her in bed.

“Ndinoda kurara newe kuti ndikugutse sezvo murume asingakugutse[I want to have sex with you since your husband is not satisfying you],” he is allegedly said to the woman.

The woman reportedly turned down the proposal but Gumbura allegedly kept pestering her, saying he wanted to be intimate with her.

It is alleged that he would not offer employment to any man whose wife refuses to sleep with him.

The woman could not stomach the man of cloth’s pressure and left the place.

It is said when she was about to leave the place, Gumbura asked her to keep the discussion a secret.

The woman left and opened up to her husband about the issue and report was made to the police.

The Anglican Wabvuwi in Zimbabwe (CPCA) has resumed the project of constructing a memorial clinic at St Clare mission in Murewa worthy US$150 000.

The mission was abandoned five years ago when the Anglican Church properties across the Diocese of Harare were forcibly taken over by the excommunicated Bishop Dr Nolbert Kunonga and his group of rebels.

Addressing a press conference in Harare this afternoon Anglican Bishop Chad Gandiya told journalists that the clinic, which is anticipated to end in August 2014, will cater for 30 000 villagers.

“Upon completion, scheduled for August 2014, the Memorial Clinic will serve around 30 00 villagers, drawn from ward 9, 16 and 22.Key health services like maternity services, adults and children outpatients department will be handled at this clinic. The clinic site is 70 kilometers along Harare-Nyamapanda highway, and is 13 kilometers away from Murehwa Centre, where the nearest health is,” Gandiya said.

Gandiya said the Memorial Clinic project was initiated by members of the Anglican Wabvuwi Guild and Anglican clergy following the death of five Wabvuwi members in a road accident at the St Clare’s Mission turn off on 9 November 1997.

“The project has already started and construction is ongoing. To date Anglican Wabvuwi has spent US$30 850, reaching window level. It is expected that with proper support from corporate world and other sympathisers the process can be expedited,” Gandiya said.

Gandiya hailed church members and the community around the area for the tremendous effort they have shown towards the building of the clinic.

“As a church we are glad for the contributions of the community around St Clare’s who are contributing their labour and time,” Gandiya said.

Gandiya said in line with its mission the Anglican Diocese of Harare “commends the work being done at the project site and links directly with our health initiatives across then Diocese where we have HIV and Aids projects, orphanages and within the education sector where we have functional institutions.”

The Bishop said more support is still required from the corporate world, and individuals to ensure that the project is completed on time and begins to serve the Murehwa community in the delivery of standard health services.

See related reading:

Jubilation as Anglicans return to Mizeki

Anglican bishops celebrate court success

The Vatican has conferred the status of a Minor Basilica to Zimbabwe’s St Mary’s Cathedral in the country’s second largest city of Bulawayo in recognition of its history, architectural beauty and the formation of faith.

Bulawayo Archbishop Alex Thomas described the conferment of the status by the 77 year old Roman Catholic Pope Francis as a blessing and privilege to the catholic family in Zimbabwe, in an interview with the Bulawayo based Radio Dialogue.

“This is a tremendous status and this is the first Minor Basilica in the Southern region, the closest one is in Kenya and so this is a unique privilege to the country and the region,” said Thomas.

Archbishop Thomas described the criteria of conferment of the basilica status as a sign that the church has played an important role in the evangelisation of the local societies and the country at large as well as the attraction of large numbers of pilgrims.

“Our mass celebrations in any given Sunday attract over 1 000 congregants and the St Mary will now be a center where Catholic teachings are taught, counselling and confession,” said Thomas.

Most Basilicas around the world also serve as tourists attractions in their countries because of their historical significance and as such it is expected that St Mary’s will bring economic benefits to the community of Bulawayo and the country at large.

St Mary’s which becomes the 17^th Basilica in Africa was built in 1903 and is past a century in age at 110 years, this year.

Several considerations are looked into at designating a Minor Basilica and among them is the demonstration of its magnificence to the Sacred Congregation of Rites, it must be a notable religious centre.

Below is a list of the Basilicas in Africa, St Mary’s included:

Basilica of our Lord of Africa                                            Algiers

Basilica of St Augustine                                                 Algeria

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception                             Benin

Basilica of Marry Queen of the Apostles                           Cameroun

Basilica of our lady of peace                                           Cote d’Ivoire

Basilica of St Theresa of the Child Jesus                          Egypt

Cathedral of our lady of Fatima                                        Egypt

St Peters Cathedral Basilica                                           Ghana

Cathedral Basilica of our Lady of Seven Sorrows               Ghana

Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family                               Kenya

Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy                                 Nigeria

Cathedral Basilica of our Lady                                         Rwanda

Basilica of Our Lady of Deliverance                                  Senegal

Cathedral of St Louis                                                      Tunisia

Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary                                 Uganda

Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs                                        Uganda

St Mary’s Cathedral                                                       Zimbabwe

Anglican Vabvuwi in the Diocese of Harare hosting a conference in memory of the late five members who died in a car accident on the 9^th of November 1997

Venue: Murehwa St Clare’s Mission

Date: 30 August-1st September 2013

President Robert Mugabe yesterday went biblical, saying people wished to live longer but emphasised that only the spiritual life was perpetual.

In an address to mourners at the burial of Enos Nkala, a founding member of Zanu and former Cabinet minister, the 89-year-old Mugabe said people should not worry about where and how they live.

“The pastor said its only transformation (from one life to another), but pastor we are men of flesh, we live not the spiritual life, we live the physical life,” Mugabe told mourners at the National Heroes Acre.

“We want our bodies to live life long if they can sustain.

“It’s a wish, against God’s wish that life can be perpetual… but we live for a short period and the spiritual one is eternal.”

In an address lasting for more than one hour, Mugabe, said the shorter life on earth is the one he deems superior.

“But this short one, the one where we interact and we have the consciousness of mind, the one where we are organised, family, land… it’s the one that seems to matter more than the other,” Mugabe said.

“We have to be taught to realise that it’s the inferior life.

“We are men of flesh, if we realise we are just bundles of flesh in this life then we wouldn’t worry about where we live and how we live, but God also wants us to worry about this life, because then as we are taught if you live it in accordance to certain rules, then it will save us for the other life.”

He said it is because of the earthly worries that man fight for their rights and the reason why Zimbabwe has refused to be colonised.

Mugabe has looked increasingly to God to shore up his claim to leadership.

In power since 1980, the political firebrand and outspoken foe of the United States and Britain, has made repeated trips to Singapore for cataract treatment, the most recent of which came before his re-election.

The Zanu PF leader, spent the entire address speaking about the history of the liberation struggle and how the two personally knew each other before and after independence.

Mugabe appeared strong and fired-up during the presidential campaign, and managed to win another term that extends to 2018.

Meanwhile, some official from Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC attended Nkala’s funeral.

Sekai Holland, outgoing MDC minister of National Healing said her party paid tribute to Nkala, whom she said had fought a democratic struggle.

“The (MDC) Guardian Council is here from the party in our personal capacities, the democratic struggle that was waged and won through the liberation goes on,” Holland said.

“Multiparty democracy is part of the democratic struggle there is no contradiction.”

“So I am a proud MDC member as the chair of the Guardian Council and we are here to pay tribute to a liberation hero that’s all. Even (James) Makore who worked with him a lot is here with me.”

She said she had had the opportunity of personally working with Nkala.

“I first met Nkala when he was released from prison. After 10 years of incarceration, we met at the Mulungushi Village (in Zambia).

“I was the representative of the party in the Australian and Asian region, and when we met them in Mulungushi Village; it was the first time that the Central Committee, the Dare Rechimurenga and the diplomatic men met as the Chimurenga General Council. It was in 1974,” she said.

Anglican Bishop Chad Gandiya of Harare

Nolbert Kunonga, the ex-communicated Anglican Bishop, is yet to surrender church funds he allegedly looted during his controversial reign to the legitimate leadership of Bishop Chad Gandiya.

Gandiya told a press briefing that the ex-communicated Kunonga, who rundown the Anglican Church and turned some church properties into lodges, misappropriated church funds which were held in banks and security firms.

“The matter is still in courts, but we have not recovered anything as of now,” said Gandiya.

The Church of the Province of Central Africa  (CPCA) alleges that Kunonga looted church properties during his controversial reign with a cursory inventory revealing that the pro-Zanu PF churchman was not settling utility bills.

“We have told the people we owe that we are going to pay what we can afford, it is very painful personally to me and the church that we have to pay for services we never incurred,” he said.

Gandiya said the church has also resumed projects that were disrupted by the violent takeover of the cathedral by Kunonga, with the men’s guild this week expected to start the construction of a clinic in Murewa.

The clinic, estimated to cost $151 000, will be completed by August next year and is expected   to serve 30 000 villagers.

“The project was halted in 2007 when Kunonga and his followers denied Anglicans access to the project site, including church buildings, claiming they were now in charge,” he said.

“They failed to carry on with the project construction, stalling a development that was approved by the Murewa Rural District Council, the local tradition leadership and the ministry of Health and Child Welfare.”

Kunonga tried to block the takeover of church properties by hiring bouncers to scuttle the CPCA takeover, but all this failed.

For five years, Kunonga ran the Anglican Church with a sleight of hand and drove away bonafide congregants to worship in the open.

Early this year, the self-proclaimed Zanu PF supporter and president Robert Mugabe’s admirer, was “cut to size” by the country’s Supreme Court which ruled that he had left the CPCA and should not interfere with its affairs.

He was ordered to return all church property to the original and legitimate leadership, but five months after the court ruling, he is yet to surrender money and bank accounts for the church.

According to Gandiya, Kunonga took with him church assets such as vehicles and investments made by the Anglican Church in various financial institutions.

Leading banks such as Standard Chartered Bank, Imara Asset Management, Kingdom Asset management and Tetrad Securities held key investments for the church and Kunonga kept control of the assets despite his dethronement from the church leadership.

After failing to surrender the church assets, CPCA approached the courts to ensure that the church resources go back to the “rightful owners”.

See related reading:

Anglican resumes clinic project in Murehwa

Jubilation as Anglicans return to Mizeki

Charles Charamba with his wife Olivia Charamba after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Jazz) at the Zimbabwe College of Music. (photo:M Chibaya).

After their recent successful South Africa and United Kingdom tours, the Charambas will this Saturday perform at their Welcome Back family show at Mubaiwa Hotel (formerly Nyamutamba Hotel) in Zengeza 2, Chitungwiza.

The show organisers said the event would be dedicated to welcoming back the celebrated gospel couple and also stand as a last gospel musical for schoolchildren as the holidays come to an end.

“We encourage parents and children, together with all Charamba fans, to come in their numbers to celebrate the return of Zimbabwe’s highly-celebrated gospel family,” one of the show organisers said.

He said the show would also stand as a last family treat, mainly targeting schoolchildren before they go back to school.

He added that Charles and Olivia Charamba would be backed by another talented gospel musician, Bethany Pasinawako, together with other various upcoming local artistes and groups.

The show will start at 11am.

“We will make this show special by providing a jumping castle, entertainment by Ajigija and face-painting for the children as a way of introducing the new term in positive light,” he said.

The organiser said together with his team, they would continuously support local artistes by celebrating with them their successful endeavours as a way of encouraging Zimbabweans to support their local artistes.

He said musically, the Charambas had certainly proven to be a powerful gospel couple to reckon with and local audiences would love to see them on stage before yet another upcoming tour to Australia this October.

Anglican Bishop Chad Gandiya with Dean of Norwich Graham Smith (Photo courtesy of eveningnews24.co.uk).

The Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) has forgiven renegade former Arch-Bishop Nolbert Kunonga and all those who followed him including school administrators.

CPCA spokesperson Precious Shumba said the church had retained all school administrators without any financial or status loss.

“The forgiveness extended to Kunonga spread across all his members. The church has been very pragmatic in its approach.

“The school heads were retain and none of them lost anything during the transition. These are people who were forced into a situation and had no option but to follow what Kunonga wanted,” Sumba said.

He said in moving forward the church had chosen the path of forgiveness and asked those that had rebelled to come back to the church with full benefits as members of the Anglican Church.

“If the teachers had decided to defy Kunonga they would have lost their jobs and that would have had a devastating effect on their families. We understood their situation,” he said.

Kunonga left the (CPCA) in 2007 to form his own Anglican Church of the Province of Zimbabwe over the issue of homosexuality saying he could not accept the CPCA Harare Diocese’s refusal to “exclude from our fold such people or elements that have embraced out of their own free will, support or sympathy for homosexuals”.

The Supreme Court last year then ruled in the CPCA’s favour leading to the fall of Kunonga who had wreaked havoc including leasing out properties and evicting people from orphanages across the country.

Prestigious schools such as Bonda Mission in Manicaland, St Albans in Mashonaland Central were left in dilapidated condition.

“St Albans was virtually collapsing and that will need a lot of money. The church will have to chip in but we are also looking for grants and loans to finance the reconstruction Zimbabweans but of course at a price that is reasonable.

“Our aim is to provide a service to provide Zimbabweans with a decent service including the corporate world but at a reasonable fee of-course,” Gandiya said.

Kunonga’s reign of terror also led to deaths including that of an 89 year-old woman.

Days following Kunonga’s fall from grace the Gandiya camp made sensational allegations of food poisoning against the disgraced and dethroned renegade clergyman.

Gandiya’s CPCA sent out a red alert to its members saying it had unearthed a case where Kunonga’s people, including his relatives had poisoned an orchard to fix CPCA members expected after they (Kunonga’s) people had been ordered to vacate rectories, schools and hospitals they grabbed for five years.

Briefing journalists yesterday Gandiya said the church had now embarked on a massive infrastructure rehabilitation programme as well as new projects.

“Most of our infrastructure was left in a state of disrepair during our days in exile. We have also incurred debts that we are now servicing.

“The CPCA has negotiated with creditors so that we pay what we can. It will take time but with time we should be able to service and recover every cent we are owed. The courts are handling that at the moment and we will wait for that,” said Gandiya.

See related reading:

Surprises in Anglican church audit 

Kunonga loses it all 

Harvest House International Church (HHI) on Wednesday had to halt their main conference to bid farewell to the late national hero and former church member Enos Nkala.

A memorial service was held in respect of the late hero who was a member of the HHI sixth service in its Bulawayo branch.

Nkala, his wife and grand children were active in the service and were part of the service’s board responsible for hospitality.

A converted Nkala during the time of his death was committed to the church and often attended Sunday services.

The memorial service was attended by senior Zanu PF persons like Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu, Governor Cain Mathema and Minister of Small to Medium Enterprises Sithembiso Nyoni.

Church members flocked to the ZITF hall 4 to pay their last respects to the late minister who was forced to end his political career after he implicated in the Willogate Scandal in the late 80s.

But mourners were glad to bid farewell to a converted Nkala who succumbed to a kidney failure, having been flown to Cape Town for treatment without success.

Nkala was later admitted at Mater Dei for a week after which he was transferred to the Avenues Clinic, where he later died.

The late Nkala will be remembered for his efforts in the formation of Zanu PF at his house in 4449, Old Highfield, Harare, in August 1963 by an eight-member breakaway faction from the then Joshua Nkomo-led Zapu.

The Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA), which inherited a huge debt and dilapidated infrastructure from excommunicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga, has embarked on a massive rebuilding exercise.

The church’s infrastructure collapsed after it was forcibly occupied by Kunonga until last year when the wrangle ended.

CPCA Bishop Chad Gandiya said the church had started a massive reconstruction exercise to repair the damage that was caused by five years of total neglect.

The exercise involves renovating all church building, houses and schools owned by the church.

“Our education secretary is working with the heads of our schools on renovating those schools and improving them,” Gandiya said.

The church split in 2007 with Kunonga leading the breakaway faction that seized most of the church properties and bank accounts.

However, the courts last year ordered Kunonga and his followers to vacate the church properties.

Gandiya said the church recently completed a feasibility study on some of its properties, and intends to build a conference and a convention centre in Ruwa that will include health and lifestyle facilities.

“The convention centre will cost roughly about US$5 million, the wedding venue and outdoor camp roughly about US$2 million,” said Gandiya. “For the conference and the convention centre with health and lifestyle facilities we will have to take loans. We are applying for grants.”

He said the church was committed to improving the lives and health of people in Zimbabwe; not only those in the rural areas but also those in the towns.

On the church’s debt, Gandiya said the church was liaising with the Harare City Council and the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) on how to pay the outstanding amount estimated at over US$300 000.

Kunonga had also seized colleges, schools owned by the church, sometimes leasing the facilities out and collecting rentals.

 See related reading:

Kunonga refuses to surrender church funds 

Residents fetching water in one of Harare’s high density suburbs (M. Chibaya).

Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa the founding pastor of United Family International Church (UFIC) has come to the rescue of Chitungwiza community by drilling a borehole at his church stand which is now being utilized by the community.

Members of Chitungwiza community that resides near the church stand that include Unit D, J,E, H and Zengeza 4 are now benefiting from the borehole water.

Residents that spoke to RelZim expressed gratitude to Makandiwa for allowing them access to clean water following the persistent water cuts that have affected them for weeks.

“Personally don’t go to Makandiwa’s church but we were glad to hear that Prophet Makandiwa has ordered security at their church to allow us to fetch water, said one of the residents who identified himself as Tapiwa.

People with buckets and wheel barrows have been making a bee line for the water since the drilling of the borehole.

Makandiwa’s spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufakunesu told RelZim that they are committed to saving lives in many ways.

“Yes we have allowed the community to get access to water at the church stand for water is life and UFIC is there to serve lives,” said Pastor Kufakunesu.

“Water is a God given resource whose access should not be denied to people and UFIC unites all families to God and that is part of our ministry in serving the community.

“In fact that place is being built to serve many and those around it are there to open their eyes for salvation at their door steps.

“Only that when accessing God’s things we must not jostle or be greedy but wait for each other’s turn in an orderly manner as they fetch that water at the holy place.

“The place has to be kept clean knowing that it is there for us and those to come after us,” said pastor Kufakunesu.

See related reading:

UFIC women’s ministry buys coaches 

Traditional healer beaten at Makandiwa shrine 

Members of the Vapostori worshiping at a shrine in Harare ( photo: M. Chibaya)

An apostolic sect church leader will spend two years in prison for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl from his church after asking her to accompany him to pick some pebbles used for prayers.

Shepherd Matanda (41), leader of Johane Masowe sect, denied two counts of statutory rape when he appeared before Chitungwiza regional magistrate Ms Estere Chivasa. But he was convicted of the charges and after realising that the court had made its decision he told the court that he was in love with the girl.

Ms Chivasa slapped Matanda with a three-year jail term, but conditionally set aside one year for five years. Matanda, who has two wives aged (20) and (21), told the court that he planned to take the girl as his third wife.

Prosecutor Ms Tafadzwa Makwande told the court that on August 1, at around 9am, Matanda called the minor advising her that he needed assistance to pick some pebbles at an area called Riverside. The girl agreed to accompany Matanda.

After picking the stones, Matanda forced the girl to sit down and began fondling her, saying that they should have sex, but she refused.

 Matanda pushed the girl to the ground and forced himself on her. Upon arrival home, the girl did not reveal the matter to anyone for fear of being assaulted by her mother.

 Two days later, Matanda called the girl asking to meet her at Makoni Shopping Centre for a walk. The girl proceeded to the venue and they left for Riverside grounds where Matanda had sex with her.

See related reading:

Vapostori left in the cold

Chanting Madzibaba upsets UK community 

`Former Chitungwiza Housing director, Jemina Gumbo, who was accused of corruptly allocating commercial stands to various people and organisations, including Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa, has been acquitted.

Gumbo was facing 22 counts of criminal abuse of duty as she was accused of allocating stands without following laid down procedures. However, she was cleared of all the allegations before High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese. Through her lawyer, Admire Rubaya of Nyamushaya, Kasuso and Rubaya Legal Practitioners, Gumbo denied the allegations as frivolous and malicious allegations that were aimed at plotting her downfall.

It was alleged that between 2008 and 2011, Gumbo allocated stands to individuals and organisations she favoured without publishing them in the local newspapers as required under the section 152 of the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:13.

It was alleged that on 23 December 2008, she sold commercial stand number 19762 to Hwamanda Production and that on November 16 she also sold stand number 19743 to Silva Simau. It was further alleged that in 2009, she allocated 10 stands to different organisations including Penyama Investments, which benefited two stands on 16 February and 25 March.

It was claimed that Gumbo allocated two stands to flamboyant Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa’s church, United Fellowship International Church on 7 November 2008 and another one on 8 July. The council had reportedly approved the construction of a stadium and hotel on the two stands that were allocated to the celebrated prophet.

Long Range Investments was said to have also bought two stands which were meant for a market and a playground. Gumbo allegedly allocated the Watchtower Bible Society a stand, which was set aside for a shopping centre. She was also accused of allocating a recreational open space to Foldstalk Investments, which turned it into a shopping complex.

The State further said that according to the Regional,Town and Country Planning Act, the application for change of use of the stands was supposed to have been made by Chitungwiza Municipality, the owner of the land.

However, Gumbo denied ever abusing her official duty in the manner alleged by the State. She said she never acted contrary to or showed any favour to any individuals or organisations. Gumbo told the court that she would sign on her own lawful documents relating to her office and in her absence, there would be a deputy to act on her behalf and sign all relevant lawful documents.

In his closing submissions, Rubaya submitted that the State had failed to prove a prima facie case against his client. He said a criminal trial is not a fishing expedition in which the State hopes that along the way the accused would convict himself out of his own mouth.

“This is a classical failed fishing expedition where the State has failed to even catch a small frog,” the lawyer blasted.

See related reading:

Traditional healer beaten at Makandiwa shrine 

Nyasha Gumbeze journeyed more than 12,000 kilometres to be accepted in a role she says she was born to do.

When the Lynfield Community Church minister was first ordained by the Anglican Church in New Zealand four years ago she was breaking new ground as a female Zimbabwean minister.

It was upon discovering women were not accepted as Anglican ministers in Zimbabwe that Gumbeze made the decision to leave her family behind to fulfill her calling.

“When I grew up I had never seen a woman priest but it never crossed my mind that there were professions that women weren’t allowed to do,” she says.

“For someone who is so strong on social issues it bothered me. I thought this was an injustice – if I would like this and I believe God wants me to do this, who are these men to tell me I can’t?”

She moved to Auckland with her husband and young son 10 years ago but her mother and siblings still remain in Zimbabwe.

“They know what I’m doing and, of course, they think it’s brave and courageous. Even other Zimbabwean women look at it as ground-breaking.”

Gumbeze took over the interdenominational and multicultural congregation at Lynfield Community Church in February this year.

It is the small Lynfield church’s inclusiveness which first drew her to the parish.

“That’s what I’ve always desired in a church, where we can grow the face of Auckland because that’s what the face of Auckland is like, where you’ve got everyone of all cultures,” she said.

“I want to be able to look in five years to see I have been able to grow a church that will be able to grow its own leaders.”

Growing up surrounded by poverty and suffering she always had a desire to do something to help other people. She hopes to influence change in the Zimbabwean Anglican Church’s stance on female clergy from her Lynfield parish.

“Going back to Zimbabwe as a woman priest they could not accept me so every once in a while I say what I think,” she added.

“They are missing out if they leave out the voice of women in the building of the church. I think women bring some very powerful insights, emotion and passion to the table.”

In Africa, it is the women and children who fill the churches, she says.

“Who leads the church? The men. But the churches are built by the women and they need the opportunity to lead as well.”

The Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Ross Bay, says the New Zealand Anglican Church has ordained women since 1977.

“It is part of our normative experience here now. Many of our parishes are led by women clergy,” he said.

“Nyasha’s presence has offered a new and enriching contribution to our multicultural experience within the Auckland Anglican Church.”

Prophet Makandiwa with his wife prophetess Ruth Makandiwa. (photo from UFIM web site)

United Family International Church’s Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa yesterday celebrated her birthday by throwing a party and donating clothes, stationery and goodies to at least 300 children from four orphanages. 

Ruth is wife to UFIC founder and leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa. The celebrations, held at Harare Children’s Home, also saw children from Tanyaradzwa Children’s Home in Murehwa, Kutenda Orphanage from Bindura and Redemption Care Centre from Mufakose also enjoying the pomp and fanfare.

The party was a culmination of a day of charity that saw the prophetess earlier in the day giving financial assistance to widows and streetchildren.

Ordinarily, people celebrating their birthdays are showered with gifts by family and friends, but in this instance Prophetess Makandiwa saw it better to share with the less-privileged members of society.

“This is really my desire. I derive great joy from spending such a special day with you my friends (orphans and widows). Chishuwo changu ndechekuti tingovaka hedu imba yedu imwechete ine marooms akawanda anokwana munhu wese aripano tigogara pamwechete sefamily imwechete. Izvozvi dai zvaigoneka ndinozvishuwira asi ndinoziva Mwari vanozvizadzisa,” she said.

Prophetess Beverly Angel from Spirit Embassy graced the occasion which was also attended by Prophetess Makandiwa’s mother Elizabeth Makawa and mother-in law Gogo Makandiwa.

Prophetess Makandiwa challenged the children to continue working hard and to behave well in their respective institutions and communities stressing that in them were tomorrow’s leaders.

The fear of God, she stressed, would see the children go far in their lives and impact the world positively. Prophetess Makandiwa then handed T-shirts, stationery and other goodies to the children who were then treated to a meal they could previously only dream of. Each bag of goodies included a personal letter from her.

The children were also entertained by Isifikile Boys, gospel diva Joyce Simeti, Pastor Hubert Chigumira and Gospel Power.

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A Seventh Day Adventist member has forked out a fortune to renovate the Catholic Church building in Chishawasha mission.

Speaking ahead of the official opening of the renovated church building recently Mission Superior and parish priest for Chishawasha, Fr Fidelis Mukonori SJ, described the benefactor who fears God.

Fr Mukonori, who described their benefactor as “a person who really knows God and how to serve him”, expressed his gratitude also to his parishioners who also played their part in renovating the Church, especially through painting the now beautiful monument.

The renovations were necessitated by the age of the building. Fr Mukonori said, “The building is 114 years old. It was the first of its kind in Southern Africa, constructed in 1898 to serve the Church within 1500 miles radius. It was for the Church here in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi during the federation days.”

“A building as old as this would definitely need touch ups here and there. We were forced to undertake these major renovations because part of the building had begun to leak when it rains, some corners were almost crumbling, you would see that the building would give in at some point and I did not want us to experience the next rainy season without the building being renovated.

“In renovating the building, we did not temper with the structural make-up of the building because that is not allowed under the law. The building, because of its historical significance, has been classified as a national monument and is protected as such.”

Fr Mukonori went on to explain the historical significance of Chishawasha Mission and the Church building. “This is the oldest mission building in what was called the Zambezi mission, in Jesuit vernacular, which covered Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. The missionaries arrived here in 1891. Fr 10 days Fr Prestage SJ wondered around this area until he identified the land on which they built the Church.

“There were no people here because it was a contested zone between Chief Seke and Chief Chinamhora. They had left the land with no one staying on it as a cease fire package and the Jesuits arrived. People came to live here after the Jesuits had settled, because they wanted to be protected by the Jesuit Fathers who were here, if ever the chiefs were to fight again.

“The Jesuits accepted the families to come and stay on the condition that the families would allow their children to be educated and later on catechised by the Jesuit Fathers.

“So Father Beieler SJ, who was an educationist, started there and then to conduct classes even in the bedroom where he was sleeping. The Church was only built in 1898, eight years after the arrival of the first Jesuits. For a long time, it was the only building of its kind between Lusaka and Pretoria.

The official opening of the building by the Jesuit provincial, Fr Buckland on 7 September 2013, promises to be a moment of joy for the parishioners and pensioners from the mission in its previous 114 years.

“We have invited the living friends who have worked here before, be they Jesuits or not.  All the Major Superiors of Religious Congregations and their members especially the senior citizens are also invited. We also invited all the graduates from our school here. We want to launch an alumni association through which they should support this mission.”

Solly Mahlangu stole the thunder at the fifth edition of the Open Heavens Gospel Crusade held at Harare Gardens on Saturday.(Photo: M.Chibaya).

It was a night to remember for the local Christian community as visiting South African gospel sensation Solly Mahlangu stole the thunder at the fifth edition of the Open Heavens Gospel Crusade held at Harare Gardens on Saturday.

The crusade, which is an annual event, was hosted by Apostolic Faith Mission Mabelreign’s Shiloh Word Miracle Centre Assembly.

The award-winning Mahlangu set the venue ablaze with an electrifying performance before an appreciative crowd.

He was supported by Pianos Jaravaza, Dudu Manhenga, Worship Addicts, Sebastian Magacha, Mathias Mhere and Pastor Charles and his wife Olivia Charamba, who later paved way for the visiting Mahlangu.

Clad in a cream suit, the Obrigado singer took to the stage at around 7:30pm and wasted no time getting straight into business.

Mahlangu, who was performing in the country for the second time, had a polished show throughout his two-hour appearance.

His display was consistent and fans could not help, but marvel at the talent of the musician belting out hit songs like Mwamba Mwamba, chart-topping Obrigado, Sikwembu Samadima, Wahamba Nathi and Emmanuel among others.

Meanwhile, the visionary and brainchild of the event Reverend Onismor Sasa said he was overwhelmed by the success of the show.

“I would like to thank the Almighty for allowing everything that we had planned to go accordingly.

“The high turnout really amazed me and I need to thank all those who graced the event for their support,” Sasa said.

“Thumbs up to both Mahlangu and our local artistes for the great performance and their support for the event to be such a successful one,” he added.