Mathias Mhere and his band The Saints of God performs at the Fifth edition of the Open Heavens Gospel Crusade held at Harare Gardens on Saturday (M. Chibaya).

The question of whether or not it is advisable for people to dance in church, or whether or not praise music that allows dancing has any value in it among today’s Christians is one that continues to linger in many people’s minds.

One aspect of this is the idea that dancing is usually a result of some entertaining music where people dance to express their excitement or enjoyment of the music.

But looking at dancing more closely reveals how it is used by different cultures the world over to communicate different aspects of socio-cultural and religious values than mere enjoyment of music.

In most churches dancing is used during praise and worship as a tool for expression of delight and joy in the Lord.

There aspects of a people’s culture are revealed in how worshippers dance to the sound of the drum or any other musical instrument as they conduct their worship services during church or church-related activities.

For this reason one is likely to see in some churches in different cultures around the world dances such as rhumba, kwasa kwasa, jazz, ballet, break dance, hip- hop and many others which are used together with gospel music.

However, although many of these dancing styles have been accepted in some cultures, in others they have been flatly condemned.

In those cultures where certain styles of dancing are forbidden together with their accompanying music, there dancing and music are constant subjects of controversy among Christians.

But looking at dancing generally, there is clear evidence that it occupies a huge part of our lives. Whether used in church, at funerals, during celebrations or social gatherings where there is music, one notices that people just love to dance.

The fact that dancing encourages social cohesion, expression of delight, emotional therapy for some and that it helps people communicate various aspects of their socio-cultural and religious lives makes it a very important social activity among people the world over.

However, in the Christian Bible, there are several chapters where we also learn about dancing and how it was used for different purposes.

One such story is that of King David in 2 Samuel 6 where he danced in front of his people until he attracted his wife’s rebuke.

Gospel lovers dance at the Fifth edition of the Open Heavens Gospel Crusade held at Harare Gardens on Saturday (M. Chibaya).

The conclusion of the story was that his wife, Michal, was punished by God for her words of reproach and scorn when she criticised her husband for his actions. According to 2 Samuel 6:23, she could not get pregnant from that time until her death.

Elsewhere, in Exodus 32 there is a part where dancing was used in the context of idol worship resulting in sin being committed by Israelites.

In this chapter, the Israelites committed a sin against God by dancing and singing celebration songs to a golden calf, which according to God’s Ten Commandments had been an act of idolatry.

In 1 Samuel 18 dancing is also mentioned where women sang and danced in celebration of David’s heroic exploits in war against Philistine. According to 1 Samuel 18:7, they composed a song and danced to it saying David had killed more enemy soldiers than the then King Saul.

After that Saul became angry with their dancing and singing since by doing so his subjects were simply communicating a message that they had now shifted their admiration to David instead of himself.

Looking at these stories and many others one wonders what lesson there is to learn about dancing and its role in the church today. In the story of David’s dancing before earning his wife’s rebuke, it is clear that the main message on that chapter was not about dancing itself but that as God’s children we should freely express our heartfelt joy and gratitude to God alone.

When David’s wife was punished by God for rebuking her husband, what really attracted God’s anger against her was not her disapproval of dancing itself but the fact that she held husband’s profile as more important than his public expression of humility and heartfelt joy and gratitude before his God.

David’s dancing was directed at God while that of Israelites in Exodus 32 had been directed at the golden calf or idol god erected by Aaron, one of their then leaders, in compliance with their demands.

In life, if dancing were to be used in celebration of material properties other than God alone, such dancing would be idolatrous, sinful and abominable before God.

Apart from that, dancing will continue to be an important feature of people’s socio-cultural and religious lives. When applied in today’s church, aspects such as how people praise and worship, how they grieve their dead loved ones, how they celebrate happy moments in life such as weddings or birthdays, are usually communicated through dancing and music.

Gospel musician Sabastain Magacha performs at the Fifth edition of the Open Heavens Gospel Crusade held at Harare Gardens on Saturday (M. Chibaya).

Above all, dancing should not seek to promote anything else other than it being a form of free expression of joy, reverence, worship and celebration of God’s goodness.

Gospel diva Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave is leaving today for a two week tour of the UK where she is expected to stage shows in Leicester and Duginham. The gospel sensation said the shows will be used to quench the thirst of her UK fans who have gone for years without seeing her in action.

“I am going with the whole band. We will be spreading the gospel through music as usual. Some of our fans will naturally like to see us perform songs from our latest album and others will certainly love to hear my yesteryear songs,” she said.

Fungisai said everything was in place for her to stage the shows.

“All the paperwork has been processed and the promoters are leaving no stone unturned for the show to be a success.

“I am looking forward to the show and by God’s grace, I hope the show will go on as planned,” she said.

This is not the first time for her to stage shows in the UK. Fungisai made her debut performance in England together with Oliver Mtukudzi and Albert Nyathi in 2009.

The Harare-based singer was initially denied visa in 2004 and the media quoted a British Embassy official citing several reasons, among them the fear that she might not return to Zimbabwe after her tour.

“Taking into account your circumstances known to me and the current socio-economic circumstances where the official unemployment rate is 70 percent and the official inflation rate approximately 400 percent, I am not satisfied on the balance of probabilities, that you intend to leave United Kingdom on completion of this visit,” Ken Arundel, an entry clearance officer wrote in a letter to Fungisai.

However, in 2009, she successfully applied for the visa and went to stage successful shows at the Arrow Valley Country Park in Birmingham.

Fungisai captured the national consciousness since bursting onto the scene as a 19-year-old gospel novice under the wing of veteran singer Elias Musakwa at the turn of the millennium.

She went on to produce nine successful albums and is regarded as one of the best gospel musician in the country.

A new group called Beloved from Harare is poised to make a huge splash on the local gospel music scene following the release of their double CD album titled “Ndiri Mhanzi”.

Led by Willard Munyaradzi Muzaeni (28) and Miracles Magumbo (26), the youthful outfit said they decided to come up with the double CD whose first eight tracks are fast-paced danceable praise songs while the remainder is worship.

“There are many reasons why we decided to come up with a double CD. The first one is that few artistes in Zimbabwe often do that. The other reason is that we have a lot of songs whose meanings we want to share with people and by loading them on one CD, it is obvious that there will be everything for everyone.

“People also want both worship and praise sides of gospel,” explained Muzaeni.

Since its release by Artisan Studios, who are also marketing and distributing the album, some tracks taken off “Ndiri Mhanzi” have been receiving airplay on Star FM, National FM, Spot FM as well as  having one of their songs “Rukariro” being used as the signature tune for ZBCTV’s “Rhapsodies of Realities”.

They, however, still feel there should be more airplay to promote their music.

“We need to see more support given to new artistes in the industry because they are gifted. Piracy is also another major challenge affecting us,” Muzaeni said.

CD one opens with “Tambira Mwari’, that urges people to exalt the Lord and make merry for the life that was bestowed on them.

“Mwari Mandidadisa” captures the voice of a person who is thanking the Good Lord for abundant mercy, while “Mutsvene” talks about His holiness.

Those who give up hope in life are encouraged to find it in God through the son Jesus Christ, and “Ndiye Mambo” further cements the fact there is no other God except the Creator.

On CD 2 there are tracks likes “Aripo”, “She Unondifambisa”, “Chivimbiso” and “Rukariro” which are spiritually touching and inspiring.

“Beloved was formed in 2006.I was still at Bindura University where I was studying computer science and I met my colleague Magumbo through a friend who heard us singing and connected us to co-found this group.

“Naturally, both of us are composers and also as Christians we felt that it was our mandate to preach the word of God through music,” Muzaeni said.

He also paid tribute to music producer Allen Dzobo, who is also the director of Artisan Studios for having faith in his group.

A Harare magistrate has ordered two women arrested as suspected witches to undergo psychiatric evaluation after they were found naked at a house in Budiriro early Wednesday.

Chipo Chakaja, 26, and her aunt, Maria Moyo, 35, of Gokwe-Nembudziya in the Midlands, told a Mbare magistrate that they had no idea how they ended up in Budiriro – some 400km away.

The two women arrived in court carrying a winnowing basket each. The baskets contained an assortment of witchcraft-related paraphernalia including a live owl, tiny-decorated beads, animal skins, gourd and talisman.

Court officials said police officers were too scared to carry the “evidence” into court.

Mbare magistrate Reuben Mukavhi first heard from Moyo, who recalled going to sleep and then dreaming of herself in the company of her niece and four other women, including a ring-leader called Chiedza.

“I had supper on Tuesday at my homestead and retired to bed at around 8PM. I recall having a dream in the company of my niece and four others whose whereabouts I don’t know,” she said, wrapped in a red cloth.

“We were with Chiedza who was complaining that if we delayed, we would find her daughter-in-law in Harare gone to have her ailing child attended to by some prophets.”

Moyo told the court that she remembered, in the dream, flying in a basket and then crashing while flying over the Budiriro house which is home to a self-styled prophet named in court as Chris Tongai.

Chakaja’s story was almost identical in detail to that of Moyo.

She told the magistrate: “I remember eating supper on Tuesday night, but as to how we got here I don’t know.”

After the two women failed to say what they were using the baskets and the other materials for, the magistrate intervened and stopped proceedings.

“It appears both of you have mental problems. You have left me with no choice but to alter your pleas to not guilty, and I’m sending you both for a medical examination,” said Mukavhi.

Revai Mudzokori, prosecuting, told the court that the two women were found naked outside Tongai’s house in Budiriro 2 shortly after 5.30AM on Wednesday.

It was Tongai, the court heard, who provided the women with the red “holy clothes” to cover themselves.

The two women were arrested and charged with “engaging in practices commonly associated with witchcraft”.

Popular interdenominational gospel choir Zimpraise will launch their sixth live DVD tomorrow evening at the New Life Covenant Church in Harare.

The DVD has over 25 songs and was recorded at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) in July.

Tendai Zhou, the group’s publicist, has lauded the launch of the DVD which features some of Zimbabwe’s best gospel musicians.

“During the launch we will have performances from the Zimpraise Choir and some of the songs include the song Sungano which has come first on gospel music charts on various radio stations.

“The DVD has over 25 songs most of which have been arranged by our music director Joseph Madziyire. Some songs on the bumper DVD include renowned gospel music artistes like Sabastian Magacha, Mathias Mhere, Pastor G, Takesure Zamar Ncube and Comfort Manyame, an artiste based in the United States of America,” he said.

Other popular artistes featured on the album include Kudzai Sevenzo and Tembalami.

According to Zhou, the DVD launch will focus entirely on music unlike last year when the concert was combined with the Zimpraise Legendary Awards.

“Last year, the event didn’t reach its full potential because we had awards that were running concurrently with the live DVD concert,” said Zhou.

The interdenominational gospel choir, which was nominated for a top award — the London-based Zimbabwe Achievers Awards last April — recently launched an album in the Harare Gardens titled Women of Praise.

The Women of Praise project featured 40 women musicians including Sharon Manyonganise, Marble Madondo and Melanda Bepura.

Thieves here have been stealing valuables from members of the congregation during church services.

Pastor Berry Dambaza of Upper Room Ministries, a local Pentecostal church, told The Zimbabwean that they were forced to tighten security during their services.

“We had a serious problem a few years ago. At one point we set a trap and we were surprised that it was a respected member of the church who was responsible for the thefts. She used her children to steal handbags and cell phones in the church,” he said.

After police arrested the suspect, she left the church.

“In another case a parishioner directed a child to collect a handbag that belonged to another, saying it was hers,” Dambaza said “We have had a lot of these cases and it appears our church is being targeted.”

There are fears that gangs are targeting church services across the city. “This is particularly disturbing because there could be a syndicate operating in the area,” said a local policeman.

“Earlier this year, we recovered some stolen items and among them was a phone which we traced to a church in Westgate. The owner confirmed that the phone had been stolen during a service.”

Similar reports of theft have been reported at a mosque in Mbare. As a requirement, Muslims take off their shoes and leave them outside the mosque during their services.

“We had to hire a security guard to look after our shoes because once we came out and found them all gone,” said Aisha Doubt, a Muslim parishioner.

Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said it was up to the churches to report these cases to the authorities. However, one pastor blamed the police for showing a lack of interest in the thefts.

“Our congregants must realise that a church is a public venue and not everybody who comes to church is a saint,” said the pastor.

The Charambas performing at the fifth edition of the Open Heavens Gospel Crusade held at Harare Gardens recently (photo: M Chibaya).

Pastor Charles Charamba and the Fishers of Men are set to commence their regional tours with an appearance in Mozambique slated for September 24 and 25. Ngoni Chandiwana, the Fishers of Men manager, confirmed the tour saying the band is geared for action.

“The band is very much prepared to take on Mozambique where we will hold shows in Chimoio and Busi. Just like in previous years, we are expecting the experience to be explosive as we have a very big following there,” he said

Chandiwana added that the tour will see Pastors Charles and Olivia Charamba conducting missions on the sidelines since they are fond of their Mozambican followers.

“The Charambas have always had a passion for Mozambique. Because of this they will take the opportunity to also minister to people in that country,” he said.

Fans can brace for more shows as the Fishers of Men are also going to be holding shows in South Africa on 26 October and in Australia before coming for Zimbabwe shows.

“We are going to be more active now that Baba Charamba is done with his studies. The past three years have been less eventful but right now we are going to be up and about with upcoming shows in Cape Town and Australia. After this we will come back home and spread the gospel to the rest of the locals,” said Chandiwana.

He also added that the group will take turns to dish some of the biggest hits that have been produced by Fishers of  Men from the time they launched their careers.

The Fishers of Men is made up of Beverly Chenera, Gloria Gasani and Kudzaishe Marimo as backing vocalists, Michael Anatori the lead guitarist, Charles Ayibeki on keyboards, Paulos Victor the rhythm guitarist, Lyton Saizi the bass guitarist, Ronald Mundhuli the drummer together with Chandiwana as manager.

See related reading:

Charambas in homecoming show

Pastor Charamba’s hard-won degree 

Charambas thrills fans in UK 

It never rains for Clemence Mpakwa, the current Chief Mpakwa, as more women are now willing to testify against him.

Sources close to the matter reveal that four other women are willing to testify against Mpakwa. Chief Mpakwa who is facing rape charges was remanded to September 30 3013 for trial.

However, a number of women including some from his Johanne Masowe YeChishanu Church are said to be willing to testify against the chief accusing him of having raped them. The women who refused to reveal their identity before the trial date for fear of victimisation are said to have gathered courage after one victim reported her case.

“This man has been abusing women in the name of his church as well as using his chieftainship. We didn’t have the courage to report him but now we can do it because we have seen that the law can protect us,” said one of the victims.

It is the state case that sometime last month at around 7 pm Mpakwa, who is also popularly known as Madzibaba Clemence, gave a lift to a woman from Duma Township but for reasons better known to him he decided to drive almost 20 kilometres the opposite direction to Mutanhi village near Chitsanga primary school.

It is alleged on arrival he ripped off the woman’s clothes and raped her twice before driving back. He dropped her a few metres from her home and she immediately reported the matter at Nyika Police base leading to Mpakwa’s arrest.

Anglican Bishopof Harare Chad Gandiya, his wife Faith (left) and Victoria Chitepo (centre). (Photo: New Zimbabwe)

Anglican Church has set up a committee to establish an institution of higher learning the church can build Bishop Chad Gandiya has revealed.

The Church of the Central Province of Central Africa which inherited a ballooning debt from the excommunicated Bishop Nolbert Kunonga, who had forcibly occupied the church properties for five years, is still on a recovery path, however, things are going on well.

“A committee has been set up by the standing committee of our diocese to look into the possibilities of establishing an institution of higher learning. We don’t know what form that institution will be at the moment but the committee into it,” Bishop Gandiya said.

Gandiya said the church had completed a feasibility study on some of the properties one in particular the church’s intention to construct a conference and convention center that will include a health and life style in Glendale. The church has already invested around US$5 million the wedding venue and outdoor.

Gandiya said work is already in progress in renovating some of our institutions that had been left to dilapidation and “our education secretary is working with the heads of our schools on renovating those schools and improving them and so as a diocese.”

Gandiya said hailed church members whom he hailed for being, “tremendous in the support of their diocese. They have given sacrificiously so that we can exist.”

On the debt that the church is owing Gandiya said the church has liaised with city council and Zesa to pay what they afford until the debt is cleared.

 “When you think of 98 thousand dollars that’s only one of several debts owed that’s going to take us years and its painful-it’s painful for me as a leader-its painful for the members of the church they did not incur these debts,” Gandiya said.

Since 2007, the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe suffered a division between the internationally recognised Church of the Provinces of Central Africa (CPCA) and breakaway Kunonga of Harare until last year when the courts ordered the later to vacate the church buildings.

See related reading:

Anglicans in Manicaland soldering on 

Two women charged under witchcraft laws after being found dressed only in skin tights outside a house in Budiriro last week have denied they are witches in their first interview from prison.

Chipo Chakaja, 26, and her aunt Maria Moyo, 35, begged a newspaper to facilitate a meeting with the high-profile prophets Uebert Angel and Emmanuel Makandiwa to exorcise them of evil spirits.

Chakaja, a divorced mother of two, tearfully told the Sunday Mail: “I want to state clearly to the people of Zimbabwe that they can judge us if they want, but the truth is that we strongly suspect that someone who is very close to us is behind all these strange occurrences.

“We are asking for help from the men and women of God, the likes of Prophet Makandiwa and Angel, if they can help us in exorcising these evil spirits which are haunting us, making us the laughing stock of the nation.”

The women were ordered to undergo psychiatric tests by a magistrate last week after appearing in court charged with “engaging in practices commonly associated with witchcraft”. They are due back in court on September 24.

The bizarre story unfolded early Thursday last week when the two women were discovered outside the home of a self-styled prophet in Budiriro after apparently crash-landing in their winnowing baskets – the transport of choice in African witchcraft folklore.

One of the women had an owl perched on her shoulder, and both had winnowing baskets which contained baboon hands, dried hyena skins and beads.

The women told police investigators they were from Nembudziya in Gokwe – some 400km away, and they were as puzzled as the rest of the nation how they ended up in Harare. Their last memory was of themselves going to sleep after sharing dinner the previous night.

Moyo said: “We met by fate after being brought together by the death of my husband two months ago.”

Chakaja, a former inter-city trader originally from Hwedza, had followed through Moyo’s advice to come to the “white gold” town of Gokwe to try her luck in the cotton trade.

Chakaja remembers having weird dreams in recent months which she now fears were her subconscious initiation into witchcraft. Moyo said she also had similar dreams, and both women say one of Moyo’s relatives – named in court only as Chiedza – almost always featured in those dreams.

In an interview from Chikurubi Maximum Prison where the two women are held, Chakaja told the Mail: “I would often wake up from nightmares which I assumed would remain just that.

“I would find myself among gothic characters, some clad in weird clothes, with some virtually naked engaged in lurid, orgy-like ceremonies.”

The two women both confirm they had dinner with their children in Gokwe on Wednesday night, before they proceeded to their respective homes. They both say they went to bed at around 8PM.

Chakaja said: “I usually sleep totally naked, but on this particular night I wore a blouse and skin tights. To my surprise, when I re-awakened from my hypnotic slumber in Budiriro, my tights were the only thing I was wearing.”

The divorced mum-of-two says she was brought back to reality by the pecking of the owl on her skin, and was surprised to find hundreds of people around her, goading and accusing her of being a witch.

While belief in the supernatural is common in Zimbabwe, some find it hard to believe anyone can fly 400km in a basket. On social networks, many Zimbabweans have been coming up with conspiracy theories.

One said: “These women could have been drugged and transported to Harare during the night, a journey that might take six to seven hours, and dumped outside the prophet’s house.

“The prophet might be staging this show to prove to his followers that he has power to catch witches, to give himself fame.

“While I believe that witchcraft exists, the idea that witches can fly using baskets is not credible because it defies the law of gravity. How can a basket fly? How is it powered, not to mention that the witches would need knowledge of reaching an atmospheric height and join a jet stream that would pass in the direction of their destination?

“These women should have had blood and urine tests to determine that was in their bodies.”

While others were trying to make sense of it all, others could not resist seeing the humorous side.

Said one Zimbabwean on Facebook: “I’m moving to Budiriro.This must be the only place on earth with a no-fly zone for witches.”

See related reading:

Miracle Money Prophet Angel at it Again 

Prophet Makandiwa rescues Chitungwiza community 

It is natural that in life we have role models from the time we are very young. Often these are our parents or other people very close to us.

This, however, is not confined to the domestic space.

People also have role models in their teachers or in prominent public personalities, and these include pastors.

The question is: when it comes to a man of God, is there anything wrong in having them as a role model?

I believe not. In fact, this has Biblical precedence. The Apostle Paul, in I Corinthians 11:1, wrote to the congregation: “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”

If my pastor is an imitator of Christ, according to the Biblical pattern, then there should be nothing wrong in imitating him.

We are to appreciate our men of God because they are God’s gifts to us given to edify the body of Christ.

Of course one may argue that the scripture quoted above is in reference to character rather than outward appearances like dress. But personally, I don’t think merely emulating my pastor’s dress style means I am idolizing him!

Idolatry is far more than these outward appearances. It is a spiritual sin. It is like pride. Sometimes you may think a person is pride because they appear so in their bearing. But one may look pride when inside, they are humble.

Recently, I chanced upon a facebook debate raising issues like having a pastor’s prayer in tongues as a ringing tone as well as having wall papers and church calendars bearing the face of the pastor or church founder. Do these things mean we are idolizing our pastors?

I would say not necessarily. What matters is the attitude of the user. The Bible says God looks at the heart. If I have a calendar from my church in my home, what’s wrong with that? Would it be wrong, then, to have a calendar of, say, my company as well?

There is a problem, however, when our attention shifts away from God to our pastors. Recently a colleague told me of a friend whose child fell sick at midnight and when she brought the child in contact with a calendar from church, the child was healed instantly.

It is a cause for concern if that particular friend starts to focus on the calendar and the one (pastor) whose image it bears as the source of healing. God must always be acknowledged as the source of healing even if the healing power is transmitted through physical images.

The Bible shows that the anointing can be transferred through physical agents, which is why handkerchiefs used by the apostles could transmit healing to the sick even in the absence of the apostles themselves (Acts 19:12).

Admittedly, extremes abound. People go to church for different reasons. Some are seeking the Lord while some of course have ulterior motives. Among these are those who are perhaps seeking the pastor and not the Lord as the Bible commands. It’s just like that “mixed multitude” from Egypt that followed the children of Israel from Egypt and caused them all sorts of problems in the wilderness.

In as much as our pastors are called to minister to us, God’s will is for his every child to hear his voice personally. Our pastors are merely vessels that are used of the Lord. The Bible says “there was a man sent from God whose his name was John” (John 1:6). God still sends men today. These are our pastors.

Scores of the members of the Johanne Masowe eChishanu in the Africa Unity Square in front of the parliament building to grace the opening of parliament by President Robert Mugabe (Photo: M Chibaya.)

Scores of the members of the apostolic  of the Johanne Masowe weChishanu today thronged Africa Unity Square at the front of parliament building to grace the opening of the eighth parliament by President Robert Mugabe.

The apostolic group, which has always praised Zanu PF and Mugabe sang a number of songs that praised Mugabe.

Speaking to RelZim a member of the church said her church support president Mugabe arguing that he was sent by the Holy Spirit.

“We have come here to show our support for President Mugabe. He can rule forever because he is the leader that was appointed by God,” said a member of the apostolic church.

This is not the first is not the first time that the members of the apostolic have attended the national event, previously they have attended the burial of national heroes, independence celebrations and the inauguration of President Mugabe.

However, the MDC party led by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai boycotted the opening following its defeat on the 31^st of July.

Mugabe’s election was not legitimate, said the MDC-T says adding its candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, was cheated of victory, which the Zanu PF leader Mugabe denies.

The election ended the coalition the two leaders formed after disputed elections in 2008.

The July poll went off peacefully, in contrast to the previous election that was marred by violence and intimidation.

Scores of the members of the Johanne Masowe eChishanu in the Africa Unity Square in front of the parliament building to grace the opening of parliament by President Robert Mugabe (Photo: M Chibaya.)

Mugabe, 89, won with 61% of the presidential vote against 34% for Tsvangirai on 31 July.

Meanwhile during his speech Mugabe said he was ready to revive relations with Western countries which he has fought since 2000 when he started the chaotic land reform programme which resulted in the displacement of more than 4000 white commercial farmers.

“We stand ready to work with even those who before were at odds with us,” he added.

“On the other hand, we will continue to demand the immediate and unconditional removal of sanctions imposed by some arrogant Western countries.”

In March, the European Union (EU) suspended sanctions against 81 officials and eight firms in Zimbabwe. Sanctions are still in force against 10 people, including President Mugabe.

See related reading:

Masvingo Vapostori invade Matabeleland farm

100 prophets claim Mugabe election win 

Zanu-PF intensifies campaign among religious groups

A Mpopoma man, masquerading as a lawyer representing Bulawayo City Council, allegedly defrauded Victory Fellowship Church of $3 600 after falsely claiming it owed the local authority $20 000.

Richard Ndlovu (47) was not asked to plead to fraud when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushove last Wednesday.

He was remanded in custody while awaiting trial.

The court heard that in May 2012, Ndlovu went to the Victory Fellowship church along George Silundika Street where he allegedly introduced himself to Tomson Dube, a pastor, as a lawyer from Advocate S K M Sibanda and Partners.

He allegedly told the pastor that he had been instructed by council to recover debt owed by the church.

Ndlovu allegedly said the law firm would accept any amount of payment which would be remitted to council.

Dube and a church representative, Judy Hwekwete, later advised one Ellen Matora to pay council $1 300 through Ndlovu on a monthly bases starting in July 2012.

On July 7 that year, Ndlovu went to the church and was paid $1 000 by Matora and he signed for it.

On September 20, Ndlovu was allegedly paid $1 300 and he again signed for it.

However, Hwekwete received a statement from council during the same month only to discover that the payments made through Ndlovu were not reflected.

Hwekwete approached the local authority and was advised to direct her complaints to the law firm.

Ndlovu allegedly promised to resolve the matter before he came for another payment of $700.

He later produced receipts purportedly showing that the church was paying its debts to council.

Ndlovu’s luck finally ran out on July 7 this year when Dube read a story in the local media about the bogus lawyer’s appearance in court on a similar case.

A report was made to the police, leading to his arrest.

Word of Faith International Ministries senior pastor Angliston Sibanda has released a 10-track album titled Be Still.

Sibanda, aka Pastor AT, told Southern Eye Lifestyle the debut album was an inspirational message for Christians going through difficult times.

“The album is a message in season for the people of God, especially those who are going under tough times. It is meant to inspire Christians to cast their burdens to God and trust him,” he said.

Sibanda said he started compiling the album in 2002, but had to wait for “the right time” to release it adding “now it was the right time.”

The 37-year-old pastor-cum-musician says he is inspired by the church and the secular world hence his title song, Be Still (Thula wazi), sung in Ndebele and English.

Although this is a debut album, Sibanda says he is no newcomer in music as he has worked with a number of gospel artistes such as the late Revonia Khumalo, Thobeka Msisa and South Africa’s gospel musician Sipho Makhabane.

“I am not new in the music industry. I began my music career in 1994 and since then I have worked with a number of prominent gospel artistes such as Thobeka Msisa, Revonia Khumalo and Sipho Makhabane,” he said.

Sibanda also prides himself for owning a studio — Stonie Studios in his Matsheumhlope home where he produced the debut album with the assistance of Patrick Macheza and Velaphi Gumbo.

The pastor also confided to Southern Eye Lifestyle that he would likely visit the United States next month where he will perform his album.

“I will visit the United States next month for evangelising, but I will also perform the album,” he said.

Sibanda also says talks are afoot to clinch a deal with Sipho Makhabane’s Amanxusa Productions, a joint venture that will see him taking his music to greater heights.

But he is sceptical about the music industry which he says is being killed by piracy.

He bemoans music piracy saying it is very unfortunate that some people were bent on reaping where they did not sow.

“It’s embarrassing that while we (musicians) work hard behind closed doors losing a lot of resources, some lazy people will pirate our music and sell it on the streets,” he added.

A Kwekwe man was yesterday slapped with a 10-year jail sentence for kidnapping a four-year-old girl at Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church service in the town and later demanding a US$40 000 ransom.

Andrew Musarurwa (23), Rumbidzai Chimimba (20) and a 17-year-old boy, all of Kwekwe’s Mbizo high-density suburb, were arrested a few days after receiving the money and releasing the child.

Musaruwa pleaded guilty when he appeared before Kwekwe regional magistrate Mr Amos Mbobo facing charges of contravening section 93 (3)(a)(i) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.

Mr Mbobo suspended two years on Musarurwa’s sentence on condition of good behaviour, while Chimimba and the 17-year-old boy were remanded in custody after they pleaded not guilty.

The kidnapped child belonged to a prominent Kwekwe businessman.

The circumstances were that on Sunday last week, the three kidnappers went to UFIC church at New Mining Museum Hall at around 1.30pm where they kidnapped the girl.

They then hired a getaway car which they used to ferry the girl to Gokwe where they kept her at their hideout.

After the church service, the girl’s parents searched for her but their efforts were in vain, prompting them to report the matter to the police.

The following day, the kidnappers made a call to a member of the church demanding the details of the girl’s mother. They then made another anonymous call to the girl’s parents demanding a ransom of US$40 000.

Police investigations revealed that the call was being made within the 10km radius of the Mbizo Econet booster, but the mobile phone number was registered in the name of a resident of Dombotombo suburb in Marondera.

On Tuesday last week, the girl’s mother then called the kidnappers informing them that she had raised the required amount.

They gave her directions to a storm water drain at a 20km peg along the Kwekwe-Mvuma road where she was supposed to drop the money and was advised not to bring the police or any other person.

At around 1pm, the girl’s mother went and dropped the money at the said point before informing the kidnappers.

After an hour, the kidnappers called to inform her that they had seen the money and that they would make arrangements to return the child.

At around 9pm, the kidnappers called the girl’s mother to collect her daughter at a fast food outlet in Kwekwe where she found her eating some food bought by the kidnappers.

The kidnappers then went to Gweru where they bought a Nissan Caravan before driving to another hideout house in Nkulumane suburb in Bulawayo. The police made a follow-up with the assistance of members of the public and went to Gokwe where the kidnappers had kept the girl while demanding the ransom.

The police discovered some photos of the three kidnappers before proceeding to Gweru after the call history of the kidnappers had linked them to a subscriber in Mkoba Village 10 suburb. The police also traced another phone number which the kidnappers were using and discovered that it belonged to a subscriber from Tshabalala in Bulawayo.

Relatives of the three provided police with the address where they were staying in Bulawayo.

On Monday, the police went to Bulawayo where they waylaid them before arresting Chimimba who they found in the house.

Musarurwa and the 17-year-old boy were arrested later.

Police recovered US$10 200, a Nissan Caravan, BMW sedan, king-size bed, three-piece kitchen unit, wardrobe, four-plate stove, Telefunken LCD television set, refrigerator and several clothing items all valued at US$20 000 which were suspected to have been acquired using the ransom money.

See related reading:

Prophet Makandiwa wants to join ZRP, help arrests thieves who ‘stole’ his potatoes 

Christian groups at the Midlands State University (MSU) campus have been banned from using musical instruments during their services, a move that is likely to thwart the impact of the church at the university.

In a statement to the Campus Christian Association (CCA) committee on Sunday, Ecumenical Chaplain Dr. Menson Mpofu told chairpersons of Christian groups last week decision was premised on constant complaints from students staying on campus.

“All groups which use common rooms for their services should not use instruments and should adhere to the new regulation of finishing services at 7pm,” Mpofu said.

“Last semester, I implored all of you to adhere to the regulations, but you did not listen,” Mpofu added.

Most services are conducted in common rooms and it is alleged that the Christian groups disturb students in these hostels due to noise made by musical instruments.

Churches implicated by the new regulation include ZAOGA on Campus (ZOC), Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFM) and Christian Union (CU).

Chairpersons heading these groups pleaded with Mpofu to relax the rules, but Mpofu said he could not convince the University Authorities.

“I can’t plead for you anymore because you let me down,” Mpofu said. ZOC and AFM chairpersons pleaded with Mpofu to allocate a neutral venue which does not interfere with studies, but Mpofu could not budge.

The recent declaration by the College Authorities has posed a great threat on the Christian Community which has been flourishing for the past decade.

Meanwhile AFM on Campus has resorted to using their church premises to conduct Tuesday Services.

Students say that Christian groups are one of the strongest bodies on campus and their silence would lead to an increase crime and promiscuity at the university.

See related reading:

Catholic University in dispute with MSU 

MSU student writes motivational book 

Construction of new chapel at MSU on cards 

Monsignor Xavier Munyongani who was ordained as a Roman Catholic Bishop of Gweru diocese (Photo: K Mavundutse.)

The Roman Catholic Church in Zimbabwe has opened a new chapter, in Gweru diocese with the consecration and ordination of Monsignor Xavier Munyongani as Bishop of Gweru diocese.

Gweru diocese has been running for 18 months without a Bishop.

Speaking during the ordination ceremony, in Gweru at Mkoba Stadium on September 14, Bishop Munyongani said, “I am happy and I thank the Lord for this day. The diocese has been running for more than a year without a Bishop. So it is my duty now to serve and represent the people in the diocese,” he said.

In an interview, with RelZim, Gweru Catholic Church Social Communications Director hailed the ordination of the new bishop and refuted claims that the diocese had been battling in its operations because of the absence of the bishop.

“Since 2007, the Gweru diocesan was vacant but we were under the care of Bishop Michael Dickson Bhasera. There are no challenges I can say we encountered during the period when the bishop post was vacant.

“Bishop Munyongani is the 5th bishop to be ordained in the diocese,” he said.

Bishop Munyongani was born on 1 January 1950 to Joachim Mudhodhi and Anna at Mutero Mission Hospital as the eighth child in a family of ten. After his primary education in Gutu, he completed his secondary education in the Gweru Diocesan Minor Seminary. Later he joined Chishawasha Major Seminary for his Philosophy and Theology studies from 1971 to 1977.

He was ordained priest on 20 August 1997 to the diocese of Gweru by Reverend Tobias Chiginya. In 1978 he obtained a Diploma in Religious studies from the University of Rhodesia.

Bishop Munyongani served as assistant priest at St. Antony’s mission in Zaka, as parish priest of St Alois Mission Silobela and Spiritual Director of St. Anselm University. On his return he was appointed Lecturer, formator and Vice Rector of Zimbabwe’s at Chishawasha Major Seminary.

Among other positions he has held include Promoter of Lay Apostle and Spiritual Director of St. Joseph Association of Masvingo Diocese, member of Diocesan Liturgical Council and others.

In 2007, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference appointed him as chaplain to the Zimbabwean Catholics in England. In recognition of his exemplary priestly life and meritorious pastoral zeal for the church, Pope Benedict XVI conferred upon Bishop Munyongani the title of “Monsignor” meaning ‘my lord’.

The diocesan of Gweru became vacant in April 2012 following the resignation of Bishop Martin Munyanyi due to poor health and was given to the care of Rev Michael Dickson Bhasera, the Bishop of Masvingo as Apostolic Administrator. Pope Francis on 15 June 2013 appointed Monsignor Xavier Munyongani as the Bishop of Gweru.

The colourful event that was attended by more than 10 000 people, and some Bishops came as far from South Africa and Australia.

The Zimpraise gospel outfit is in the United Kingdom for their maiden tour of the country, their first ever performance outside Zimbabwe.

The first stop of the two-show Sungano/Covenant Tour was held in Birmingham at the Champions Church last Saturday and will be followed by a date in Luton at the Dunstable Conference Centre on November 9.

Birmingham proved that quality gospel music remains hugely popular and that ZimPraise are an undoubted force to reckon after they packed Champions Church Theatre to capacity.

Pastor Gee, Tembelami and other supporting artists kept the audience on their feet all night as the Sungano outfit pelted unrivalled lyrical outpourings of gospel tunes.

The power, the energy, vocal excellence and Wellington Kwenda’s moves as he directed the choir was a marvel to watch, witness and be part of. The audience demanded for more at the close of the show and the signature track Sungano was an apt closing gesture for a successful show.

Speaking after the Birmingham show, ZimPraise Founder and CEO Joseph Madziyire said: “Today I acknowledge his favour for what he has made Zimpraise today.

“I have been to the UK several times with different artists and I know it’s not easy to fill up a venue with a capacity of over 1200 seats especially when just doing music and ministering; the gig was sold out and this is not in the metaphoric sense.

“I want to thank everyone who came not because you are Zimpraise fans but you all are Jesus’ fans and I hope we brought something worth more than just music to the ears.”

The thirty-strong group arrived in the UK on a high last Thursday following the success of their super-hit track Sungano which is currently dominating the charts in Zimbabwe.

“Sungano has seen itself on the top radio charts as well as local rallies, wedding, parties and church gatherings,” said Public Relations Officer, Tendai Zhou.

Pastor G and upcoming gospel star Tembalami “Praise” Tagwirei’s tour brings huge relief to Zimbabwean music followers and worshippers based in the UK following numerous last minute cancellations of shows in the past month.

ZimPraise was formed in 2006 and has effectively created a unified melody in Zimbabwe through song and worship through its creation of the gospel flavoured melting pot.

Music producer Macdonald “Macdee” Chidavaenzi was instrumental in the formation of the popular and energetic musical outfit now well known for its explosive praise and worship music.

Besides recording six videos, ZimPraise have just released thirty five tracks to keep worshippers spiritually uplifted.

See related reading:

ZimPraise choir director releases solo album 

ZimPraise’s 3rd live DVD released 

Upcoming gospel outfit, Kwekwe Praise, has proved to be a force to reckon with in the music circles after they thrilled fans at the just ended Kwekwe Music and Cultural Festival held in Kwekwe at Mbizo stadium.

The three day function which was organised by Kwekwe City council in collaboration with the Kwekwe business community lived to its billing as Kwekwe Praise managed to bring the house down after they opened their act with a song called ‘Pamunofamba Ishe’ which set the crowd in an uncontrollable excitement.

Despite the presence of other musical groups, Kwekwe Praise proved their prowess as they continued to churn out some of the well-loved golden hit tunes such as ‘Invincible’ and ‘Anouya nemumakore’.

Speaking in an interview, the group front-man Simbarashe Mutsvanga said the group is optimistic of a bright future.

“Considering the reception we are getting from the fans, we believe that we will make it in the music industry in the country,” he said.

Tafadzwa Chidume, who attended the function, said “Judging by the sterling performance of Kwekwe Praise, the group is going to go places. In few years to come the group will definitely be competing with gospel veterans such as the Charambas and Fungisai Zvakavapano.”

Fans who spoke to RelZim expressed their appreciation of Kwekwe praise grand performance which kept them on their toes.

“We are glad to see Kwekwe Praise’s outstanding performance because it shows that Zimbabwe has talented upcoming gospel musicians. Their music is inspirational and it is unique in terms of originality” said one fan.

The eight member group includes Simbarashe Mutsvanga, Benson Joseph, Innocent Mafunga, Tatenda Masikati, Last Dube, Emilda Mafunga, Valance Sibanda and Brighton Nyirenda.

Kwekwe Music and cultural festival which is done annually was held from 1 November to 4 November and was graced by hundreds of people from Kwekwe and surrounding cities.

Back in the village, in the land of milk, honey and dust or Guruve, it is in the blood of our species to cheat in marriage, examination, business or wherever and whenever an opportunity arises. There, the village soothsayer, the ageless autochthon of wisdom and knowledge and elders with cotton tuft hair say if you are lucky to live long enough, you experience the pain of being cheated at some point and lick the bleeding wound for a long period.

 But when cheated, it needs real mastery of mind to forgive and, let alone forget. In the village, many people were converting to Christianity, abandoning their tradition and churches mushroomed all over.

There was a sudden increase in Pentecostal pastors, who created their denominations away from the conventional churches — the Catholic, Methodist, the Dutch and Anglicans.

Pastor Menemene was one of the pastors, who created the Christ’s Greatest Ministry (CGM) and young ladies and men flocked there.

He was a charismatic fellow, very eloquent, smart and powerful.

Chaste!

He rented school premises for his Sunday gatherings. Within months, his denomination had grown in leaps and bounds. It was the church of the moment.

The pastor was accessible to all and sundry. When he preached the congregants felt the presence of God. Others cried.

Others collapsed.

Others simply froze.

There was singing and dancing, the traditional church would consider indecent and ungodly.

But do things not change?

These were changing times.

CGM defined religion and religiosity, the belief and the art of belief.

Among those who cried at almost every Sunday was Chandi, a paragon of beauty who apparently never missed church service.

She had just come to stay in the growth point after she was widowed in Harare.

Now a single mother, she had retreated to the growth point to re-launch her life.

No one had really seen her child.

She claimed to have left the child behind in town, with some relative.

Chandi was onion shaped and had smooth velvety black skin that attracted good comment.
Her hair had no streak of grey.

Her eyes were sharp.

Between her eyes was a hint of a frown.

Chandi rejected all courtship offers by men in the church with a gentle smile, which more often than not, acted as a balm to wounded hearts.

That made her more popular with young boys who followed her every step.

Reciprocally, Chandi had an over exaggerated respect for other congregants.
Pastor Menemene was an enigma.

Each time a member of the church phoned him with a problem, it was solved.

Others phoned with problems and he would pray for them over the phone.

If you had a skull-splitting headache, and you phoned him, he would instruct you to touch your head and pray along with him over the phone and you were healed.

Powerful man of God!

Tithing had its special time.

The classy paid more, the poor a little but it was the classy who dominated.

Unlike the elderly villagers who brought cucumbers, green mealies and other basic goodies plus a coin to the Catholic priest, CGM attracted the youths and the working class, especially from the growth point, who paid their tithes in cash well.

In fact, they would outdo each other in paying more and dressing well too. A growth point being a growth point, there was a mixed bag of congregants.

Pastor Menemene retreated to Nyanga on a Monday afternoon. After Rusape, the tarred road serpentined as he drove past rolling moorlands, picturesque mountains, hair-pin curves, balancing rocks and interlocking valleys, until he pulled to a rattling halt at the hotel.

Once in a while Pastor Menemene stopped to answer calls from a troubled congregant.
He prayed for the troubled soul over the phone, then took off.

It was about sunset, the horizon gave the valleys and mountains surrounding the hotel an uncharacteristic hue.

The hotel was splendid with manicured loans, juxtaposing with the architecture for eternal blending. After the booking formalities the pastor went into his room.

Chandi followed behind, indignantly and with a hesitant step.
It No one in the church knew.

She had left Guruve by bus and they hooked up in Harare, as per cellphone, SMS.

There, they were the two of them, in a room and for the first time in their lives.

Pastor Menemene had caught up glimpses of her throughout the travel and had been dazzled — no, in fact stupefied by her beauty.
He remembered feeling the same, while on the pulpit, the other day. Today, she looked slimmer and neat in her black coat and a small black hat.

She looked younger than he had seen from the pulpit glances. On the windows, lace curtains held limp.

They looked expectant. Chandi went to bath.

In the bathroom there was a tall mirror and she caught sight of herself in it.

The image was so extraordinary, she could not help but stare. The mirror seemed to exaggerate.

She bathed. Back from the bathroom Pastor Menemene saw her looking fresh and wrapped in a towel.

The pastor was praying for someone over the phone. Chandi gathered the person on the other end of the line had stomach problem.

“Touch your tummy and pray along with me . . . ”

After the prayer the good pastor went to bath.

But he said something in a muffled voice.

Chandi opened the briefcase and it was full of the scarce dollar.

Being the daughter of Christ, she thought, she must never steal. She closed it and sat watching television.

By the time the pastor finished bathing, it was time for dinner.

They had asked for room service and the hotel manager was under instruction to provide all meals for the next three days, by room service.

The pastor did not want to see the sun for those days, only Chandi. Chandi… Chandi… Chandi and Chandi.

Do village elders not say no woman can make a wise man out of a fool, but every woman can change a wise man into a fool?

Soon after dinner it was adult time.

The pastor never prayed, like he did with food.

They had a noisy consultation with nature’s exhaustless generosity.

They slept for a few hours and again nature’s exhaustless generosity beckoned.

In the process, a congregant phoned for assistance and in the pastoral world, every sheep must be shepherded.

There is no excuse.

Naked and panting, the pastor fumbled for the phone.

For a moment he could not find it.

Eventually he discovered the phone under the pile of clothes and sheets that had fallen off the bed, under the dictates of nature’s benevolence.

Controlling his breathing the pastor once again prayed with the patient, in his nude.

“Hold your forehead. Let us go together … Almighty God, I pray before you that .…” The patient on the other end of the line felt the pastor’s voice quiver.

So did Chandi. While the patient thought it was the power of the prayer, Chandi knew why.

It was dramatic irony.

After the hushed prayer, nature took its course.

In such times, pleasure is a benevolent mistress but it takes away the all the energy. In the stealth of the night, all energy gone Pastor Menemene slept like a baby.

He never cared about anything.

He was in Heaven, far away from the madding congregants. But an artful fellow is a devil in doublet.

Chandi knew it was her time for the best prayer of her life. She prayed silently.

She looked at the pastor but he was in Heaven, devil’s heaven. Up she went dressed up and tiptoed to the toilet. She came back.

The pastor never moved.

She opened the brief case and took US$5 000.

She never counted but she knew it was a big swoop.

She left some.

Chandi watched his breathing face for some seconds in the dim light and felt pity but she had to go.
She had learnt to be hard in her days as a hooker in the avenues in Harare and the pastor had mistaken her for a good Christian, albeit being fallible.

The pastor heard her open the door and creaking down stairs but he thought he was dreaming.

He was in deep slumber.

She joined a few people moving out of the Casino and blended with them. She took a cab and off she went to Harare Road and boarded the night buses.

In the morning Pastor Menemene woke up to sheets and nothing.
She was gone.

Where would he report?

How? Beautiful woman, beautiful trouble!

Is it fair and just to cheat the cheater?