The Harare Jesuit community on Wednesday night officially launched its community radio station, Radio Chiedza, promising to use the channel to reconcile, unite and build the country.

The launch of the Catholic radio initiative brings to 14 the number of community radio initiatives which are waiting to be licenced.

Government has not yet called for applications for community radio licences. Church officials who attended the launch pleaded with members to “kneel down and pray” for a licence.

The event, held at Arrupe College was presided over by Jesuit Provincial Father Stephen Buckland.

“Through Chiedza community radio we will be ready to further carry the work of salvation, redemption and reconciliation in very complete and practical way for today in our nation,” he said.

“In Zimbabwe there is something which is missing, and community Radio Chiedza has the potentiality of giving communities underground a new kind of voice. This is a very important role that community radio can play in building and in reconciling our nation.

“The importance of community radios like Radio Chiedza is for the nation as a whole and not just for the church. We are many voices, not just one so let us be heard.”

He added: “The state clearly does not have the capacity to provide for the needs of the citizens of this country so others step in.

“The Catholic Church is responsible for 250 schools in Zimbabwe with many others of course being run by other churches and also 76 church run hospitals and clinics.

“As you know our schools and hospitals do not only serve the Catholics and for that our community Radio Chiedza will also not be serving the catholic community but other churches and the nation at large sharing our hopes for this nation”.

Veteran broadcaster Busi Chindove, who was guest speaker at the event, said people were being starved of choice of information by the current situation.

“As we unveil the concept and idea of Radio Chiedza, the convergence of factors allowing the establishment of this initiative is coming together in terms of resources, in terms of the constitution which allows us to do this and, beyond that, in terms of the hunger that people have for choice regards for channels of communication,” she said.

“A lot of you seating there have got choice every day in terms of communication whether you go on the internet, whether you go on DSTV. On DSTV you have got choice further whether you can chose from five channels or ten channels;  fifty channels sometimes even sixty channels, but human nature is that we surf and hunger for more and I think that’s god for us because Radio Chiedza has come to fill that gap.”

The Zimbabwe Media Commission recently said the issue of community radio licensing would be on its agenda when it meets with the Media Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo.

RGM Independent End Time Message Church leader Martin Gumbura allegedly had minors from his church work at his farm in Chinhoyi, where he also forced the most beautiful girls to have sex with him in exchange for school fees. Testifying in the ongoing trial in which Gumbura is accused of raping seven women from his church, one of the victims, a 29-year-old woman who was aged 17 then, said while they were on their way to Chinhoyi from Gweru, she was ordered to remain behind at the pastor’s house in Kadoma.

The woman said she had just finished writing her Ordinary Level exams and needed money to proceed to Advanced Level.

She told the court that when she got to the house, there were two other girls from the church whom Gumbura was accommodating.

Gumbura would always peep through the door while they were bathing or getting dressed in their bedrooms, she alleged.

“Pastor Gumbura forced me to abandon my family on the basis that they were not pure before God since they were not members of his church. I was told to go and stay with some other church members in Gweru.

“Along the way to Chinhoyi, he ordered me to remain behind at one of his wives’ houses in Kadoma.

“He said to me: ‘imi vahanzvadzi hamusikuenda kuChinhoyi muchazoenda henyu’ (sister, you are not going to Chinhoyi, you will follow later),” she testified.

The woman said she asked to go back to her parents to enable her to pursue her education since she had passed O-Level, but Gumbura would not allow her.

She said Gumbura told her that civilisation and education were for the devil, hence her idea of going back to school was not permissible.

“I could not run away from him due to his death threats,” she said.

“He would always remind me of how he cast spells on those who disobeyed him. He said some of those who ran away from him were already dead, while some became mentally challenged.

“I recall one day when I was alone at home, the accused came back at around 7pm and demanded that I sleep with him.

“He pushed me against the wall intending to rape me, but fortunately I managed to free myself.

“He was also in the habit of hugging me and in the process fondling my breasts and back.

“He would also lift my skirts together with those of the other ‘sisters’, saying that he wanted to see if we had beautiful legs.

“One day while we were seated in the kitchen together with him, I told his wife all what he was doing to us, but in response he said there was nothing wrong with a ‘father’ watching his children while they bathed.”

As the trial progressed with Harare area public prosecutor Mr Jonathan Murombedzi leading questions, the woman said Gumbura, would take her from one house to the other and from one town to another while pestering her for sex.

The woman told the court that she managed to apply at Chitungwiza Central Hospital for a nursing course and was later invited for an interview.

“When I got to Harare, his second wife Queen Bunga welcomed me and took me to their house and upon arrival I went straight to the bathroom to take a bath,” she said.

“The accused suddenly opened the bathroom door and entered while holding his mobile phone which he used to take photographs of my naked body.

“I pleaded with him to leave the room but he said: ‘Wavinga shumba mumba mayo, nhasi haupunyuke” (You have come into the lion’s den, today I will not let you go).”

The woman’s evidence had to be cut short because of time, and she will continue testifying today before Regional Magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya.

Upcoming gospel musician Gift Mahlupeka has released a second album titled Warfare.

The Chimanimani-raised musician says his new eight-track album demonstrates his new-found maturity.

“Warfare is miles ahead and it shows that I have developed a lot since I released my debut album last year,” said the 29-year-old gospel star.

Songs on the album produced by Jonathan Mgazi include Mhondoro, Musandisiye, Zviyo Nesora, Zvinoita Mwari, Mwaka, Nechikonzero, Mbiri Ndeyashe and Munamato Womufambi.

“Fans are falling in love with the product,” said Mahlupeka.

“Even on radio the album is doing wonders. I am overwhelmed by the support I am getting.”

Mahlupeka, who heads a group called The Heralds of God, told the Daily News that his poverty-stricken upbringing in Chimanimani District in Manicaland was a big inspiration in his fledgling career.

The gospel star cut his musical teeth in a group called The Apostolic Gideons gospel group in 2000 which gave him the necessary training to release his debut album called Breakthrough 12 years later.

Mahlupeka’s debut album, recorded at Sir Ober Studios, however failed to live up to the promise of success implied in its name.

“The failure of Breakthrough on the market due to poor marketing did not dampen my passion for gospel music. It actually gave me courage and more confidence,” he said.

The 29-year-old gospel star’s musical heroes include secular musician Progress Chipfumo and veteran gospel star Pastor Charles Charamba.

“I grew up listening to the music of Progress Chipfumo and Charles Charamba. At some point in future I hope to collaborate with these two great musicians,” he said.

Mahlupeka has promised to do more live shows in the coming months.

“Currently, I am using proceeds from my timber business to finance my music career. I hope to start holding live concerts around the country and I am happy that Mathias Mhere has pledged to assist me as far as concerts are concerned,” he said.

It is natural at this time of the year to look at the list of your goals for the year that is coming to a close and tick those that you achieved.

The unachieved are sometimes revised and carried over to the coming year or discarded as you feel you were too ambitious.

For example, you may have wanted to shed off 10kg, but now you feel you should start with 1kg or you no longer want to depress yourself with weight loss anymore.

It is natural also to find out why you didn’t achieve.

You have many reasons, but may I suggest that the major reason why you failed to make it this year is indiscipline.

As a Christian, many times you accuse the devil of blocking or hindering you.

You also blame it on God for not granting you grace to accomplish. Sometimes, the greatest obstacle is you!

Nowadays, people are fascinated by blaming it on haters. Please spare your so-called haters; you are your hater as we shall find out. You are your greatest obstacle!

If you can get yourself out of the way you will make it. God gave you the grace, the devil is trampling at the corner and you are busy messing up things for yourself.

In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us to teach all nations. Matthew 28:19 reads: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

It is Jesus’ wish to have Christianity influence and impact all nations as the way of life. That’s why Christianity is not a religion, but the way of life imparted by Christ.

Religion is man trying to find God; Christianity is God redeeming his people. However, my brief today is not comparison of Christianity and religion.

Discipline is foundational in your walk with Christ otherwise you will never realise your goals.

The Amplified Bible puts it this way in Matthew 28:19: “Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Making disciples connotes a disciplined lifestyle. That’s why you are taught how to pray, fast and give.

They also teach you how to behave as a youth or wife or husband. As a Christian business person, you should not underpay your staff and never use dishonest scales.

As a Christian employee, you should not steal from your employer. Sometimes, I am puzzled that things disappear from an office where everyone professes to be a Christian.

Stationery in the form of pens and bond paper are stolen to cater for your children you put at a school you don’t afford. Tissue paper is stolen to finance your lifestyle at your rented apartment you cannot afford.

Many times when people think of discipline, they think it is for children alone.

No, discipline is for us all!

In the first instance, discipline does not taste sweet, but the results are sweet.

The Bible puts it this way in Hebrews 12:11: “Now, no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

If you embrace discipline, you will enjoy later on.

Waking up early, jogging, fasting and studying are not that joyous, but the result which is a prosperous life is peaceable. Let me close with some quotes.

Zig Ziglar says: “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action and discipline that enabled us to follow through.”

Without a disciplined lifestyle, you achieve nothing even if you carry an awesome prophecy upon your life.

Jim Rohn says: “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.”

The reason why you are still lagging behind is indiscipline. Don’t lead a lifestyle you cannot afford and plunge yourself into debt.

You cannot have more than you’ve got unless and until you become more than you are. To become more, you need discipline.

Harry S Truman observed thus: “In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves . . . self-discipline with all of them came first.”

Aristotle opines: “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.”

Chris Page sums it up and says: “The most powerful control we can ever attain is to be in control of ourselves.”

They say you will conquer twice if you conquer yourself. If you conquer those bad habits, you will conquer the world.

If you don’t conquer the bad habits, they will conquer you and the world will fall on you. Lead a disciplined life, you are going somewhere.

Gospel musician, Sebastian Magacha still basking in the glory of his successful international tour gave a sterling performance at the highly publicised Harare Big Church Day Out together with ZimPraise choir at a show held at the Glamis Arena over weekend.Despite the bad weather, people crowd came in their hundreds to have a life time experience and were treated to stand-up comedy by the popular Uncle Sam who was the master of ceremony at the show.

 The pint sized Magacha proved on stage that he is not just a singer but a talented dancer as well. He kept the fans on their feet with some of his most famous  songs like “Satani Imbavha” ,”Bosvo”, “Back to the sender” and “ 1+1” which the fans were singing along to.

His performance was unique as he engaged students from various colleges as his dancers and backing vocalists.

“I decided to rope in students from various colleges as a way of giving them exposure. It is my desire to groom these youngsters because l see much potential in them. I believe they will become better musicians of tomorrow,” said Magacha.

On another note the vibrant ZimPraise Choir delivered a polished act that made the audience go haywire when they sang “Jesu Kiyena” and the hit song “Sungano” which is still dominating radio chats.

Event organiser Marshall Shonhai said they were pleased with the turn out which is was beyond their expectations.

“We are grateful that the family show was a success although we throught people would not attend the show because of the wet weather. Most of the artistes we invited came and offered their best to the fans.”

Shonhai added that they achieved their aim of bringing families and churches together in a friendly environment and has promised to make a better show next year.

Other artistes that performed on stage include the rising star Mathias Mhere who is currently riding high with his latest album titled “Nguva yeNyasha”, Thousand Voices Choir, Kingdom Praise and Flem B.

Upcoming artiste Bertha Nzombe is on a mission to popularise gospel music in her entertainment-starved home area of Chipinge.

The 26-year-old gospel musician, who has two gospel albums under her belt, believes being based in a remote area is not a handicap at all.

“I choose to perform in Chipinge because there are  fewer musicians who perform there and it is a big advantage for me,” Nzombe told the Daily News.

“The disadvantage with Harare is that there are too many musicians, so penetrating the market or getting fans is hard.

“Chipinge is better because there is little entertainment so it is easier to engage people there. I am one of the few recognisable artistes in the town.”

Nzombe, though, has to contend with the lack of recording facilities in the Manicaland town.

“I record my albums in Mutare which is just 180km away,” said Nzombe who is a teacher by profession.

The soft-spoken artiste, who claims she started singing when she had just started primary school, is happy with the quality of her two albums.

“My first album, Tenda Unopona which carries six songs was recorded in 2009. The video for the title track has received a lot of airplay on ZTV.

“The second album Ebenezzer has eight songs,” said Nzombe.

Nzombe performs mainly at private functions in her home town.

“We usually hold concerts at church functions that include revivals, conferences and weddings. In fact during the festive season on December 25 and 26 we will be holding shows in Chipinge’s oldest suburb called Gaza,” she said.

Zanu PF has threatened to clamp down and ban emerging religious groups and sects deemed to be promoting Satanism and homosexuality.

Addressing delegates attending the party’s 14th annual conference in Chinhoyi last weekend, Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo who chairs the committee on sports, culture, religion and liberation war heritage, said all churches should be registered and monitored by government to avoid religious fundamentalism.

“Institutions that promote alien practices such as homosexuality and sleeping with children to avoid Aids should be banned,” Chombo said.

“All churches must be registered and scrutinised and all churches that are anti-Christ must be abolished because they are promoting Satanism. No girl child must be used for the appeasement of ngozi (avenging spirits).”

Chombo cited the unfolding sex scandals in RMG Independent End Time Message Church led by Robert Martin Gumbura as begging for urgent government intervention.

“New churches that were created yesterday which are emerging all over the country should be monitored carefully to avoid problems we are experiencing such as the Gumbura issue,” Chombo said.

Developments in RMG church have shaken the nation amid allegations that Gumbura sexually abused scores of women parishioners, some of them married.

In other churches, particularly the Apostolic sect ones, minors ended up as wives of church members and a lot have remained scot free.

The practice remains rampant despite the law that makes it illegal to be intimate with anyone under the age of 16.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe director Chesterfield Samba said government’s planned crackdown was likely to hit a brick wall.

“You can only legislate against what people do and not against who they are. It’s like you are banning the colour blue or banning albinos. When you talk about homosexuality, you are talking about an individual’s sexual orientation, just like heterosexuality. So it would be difficult, if not impossible, to ban someone’s sexual orientation,” Samba said.

Controversial ex-communicated bishop Nolbert Kunonga’s sympathizers have embarked on a fresh bid to grab Anglican properties following last week’s takeover of St Luke’s Bvumbura Parish in Chikomba.

Kunonga formed a splinter group, the Anglican Church of the Province of Zimbabwe, after he was expelled from the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) in 2008.

He seized over 90 properties belonging to the Anglican Church before losing control of to bishop Chad Gandiya in November 2012 following a landmark Supreme Court ruling, ending the two’s six-year-long battle which sometimes turned violent.

Last week, in total disregard of the court ruling, Kunonga’s loyalists, with the backing of local traditional leaders, Zanu PF politicians, and government officials, forced out Gandiya’s parishioners at St Luke’s Bvumbura, a Daramombe Mission Outstation, claiming it was their property.

Reverend Muyengwa Murombedzi, the Outstation’s priest-in-charge, yesterday told the Daily News that CPCA congregants had been ordered off the property by Chief Chivese and headman Razaro Gombiro Mudavanhu, to make way for Reverend Tirivanhu Mugomo, a Kunonga loyalist.

“Chief Chivese has ordered us to vacate the premises threatening us with arrest if we ever come back,” Murombedzi said.

“His aide, one Mushure, who is also a Zanu PF councillor for ward 16, even threatened to beat us up if we defied the order.

“The threats came after we had pointed out that the court had ruled that we are the bona fide owners of the premises.”

Chief Chivese declined to comment on his manoeuvres to allow Kunonga’s people to reclaim the church property.

“Who are you to question what obtains at my court? I cannot talk to you about that,” Chivese said before hanging up.

Murombedzi said Chivese told him the CPCA congregants should be confined to Daramombe, arguing that St Luke’s Bvumbura was not under the Anglican Diocese of Masvingo — an area under the ambit the CPCA.

Murombedzi said initially, Kunonga’s loyalists claimed that Chikomba district education officer Ngoni Mujuru — formerly Daramombe Mission School head — had earmarked the church for conversion into a primary school.

He said Mujuru had confirmed that to him, an allegation strenuously denied by the former.

“We have been having problems with Kunonga loyalists who continue to claim ownership of St Luke’s Bvumbura,” Murombedzi said.

“Today (Monday) Mujuru told me that indeed he intends to turn the church into a school.”

Lameck Tsoka, the officer commanding Chikomba district police, confirmed they were handling the church ownership wrangle.

“We have received reports of the wrangle from both parties and we have advised them to go back to the courts to seek redress,” Tsoka said.

“The problem is that while there is a Supreme Court judgment in favour of the Gandiya faction, Kunonga’s faction claims that they built the church, so as police, we cannot pass judgment.”

Critics say the DisPol’s move is surprising given that he must enforce a ruling of the Supreme Court and eject Kunonga’s thugs.

Chivese and Mudavanhu have been at the centre of the property wrangle between Gandiya and Kunonga for long.

See related reading:

Kunonga refuses to surrender church funds

Jubilation as Anglicans return to Mizeki 

Church authorities started hearing rape allegations against RMG Independent End Time Message leader Pastor Robert Gumbura in the 1980s but the cases were never reported to the police, a leading cleric with Spoken Word Ministries told a Harare court yesterday.

Pastor Godwin Chitsinde told the Harare Magistrates’ Court that he baptised Gumbura in 1978 after he had joined End Time Message, where he was a minister then.

He said back then he used to receive reports of Gumbura abusing girls from the church and would question him.

“Since 1988 I would get such reports. Sometimes I would call him so that he will give his side of the story and the accused would vehemently deny the allegations.

“In 1997 I also received a report to the effect that Gumbura had raped another girl from the church and surprisingly the girl was his niece. When I asked him about the allegations he only said to me: “Muzukuru mukadzi” (a niece is a wife),” he alleged.

Gumbura, who is facing allegations of raping seven women from his church, accused Spoken Word Ministries leader Pastor Godwin Chitsinde of conniving with the victims to fabricate rape charges against him.

Gumbura said he was a victim of church politics since his split with Pastor Chitsinde’s congregation.

However, Pastor Chitsinde dismissed the claims saying that he did not even know the victims.

“Your Worship, we are not rivals as alleged by the accused. We are not in the same league considering that I have more followers compared to him.

“I once saw a report he wrote in which he was saying that his church had only 50 followers after most of them left when he started preaching about polygamy.

“I baptise over 100 people per week at my church. Surely, how can I be jealous of someone who has only 50 followers?

“In as much as I do not believe in having more than one wife, I do not have issues with polygamists since it’s not a crime to be in a polygamous union.

“I just don’t believe in them,” he said.

Pastor Chitsinde said he had better things to do than fight Gumbura.

A 29-year-old woman whose testimony had to be cut short on Monday because of time yesterday continued with her testimony, narrating to the court how the man of cloth allegedly deflowered her.

The woman, who was 17 at the time of the alleged abuse, said Gumbura raped her on the basis that he wanted to test her virginity.

She produced torn, blood-stained underwear which she said she was wearing on the day in question.

“He started raping me around 7pm until around 11 pm and all this happened while I was crying for help but those who were in the house, including his second wife, Queen Bunga ignored my screams. Instead they even increased the television volume.

“He said he was not going to leave me until he broke my hymen. He said he wanted to ascertain if indeed I was a virgin adding that most girls he had slept with were in the habit of lying to him about being virgins.

“After the rape, I left the room and went outside crying. The ‘sisters’ who were also staying there followed me and consoled me. They told me that the accused person was also in the habit of raping them on various occasions,” she said.

The woman told the court that she refused to sleep in Gumbura’s house that night. Gumbura and Queen Bunga allegedly accompanied her to Pastor Tawanda Nehowa’s house, saying the latter would take her to a job interview the next day.

She said on their way to Pastor Nehowa’s house, Gumbura told his wife that the victim was playing hard to get and in response Queen Bunga asked her why she was being hard on the man of the cloth.

The complainant said Gumbura raped her on several occasions and he would say; “Hazviite kuti kana watanga ngoma iyi woirega. (It’s not possible to stop once you have started.)”

She said he proposed to marry her and she turned him down.

The woman alleged that this angered Gumbura and when she got a job at a general hospital, he forced her to surrender all her earnings to him for two years as pay back for raising her.

“I could not leave his house because it was always under guard. I was also afraid to report to the police because he said that the police were under him and also that he was connected to top Government officials.

“The accused had also threatened to commit me into the hands of the devil.

“I know some of the people whom he committed to the devil and they died due to his spells, some went mad and some are now wheel chair-bound due to accidents caused by the accused person,” she alleged.

Through his lawyer Ms Rekai Maposa, who is being assisted by Mr Emmanuel Samundombe, Gumbura accused the woman of fabricating charges against him.

He said he was actually in love with the complainant and the charges were sour grapes between them since he had not bought her a house and a car like he did for his 11 wives.

“The accused will put it to you that since you had several opportunities to flee, you endured the suffering because you were cohabiting as husband and wife,” said Ms Maposa.

In response, the woman said she was brainwashed, indoctrinated and threatened by Gumbura.

The trial continues today before Regional Magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya.

Harare area public prosecutor Mr Jonathan Murombedzi is leading State evidence and he is assisted by Ms Kudzai Chigwedere.

See related reading:

Pastor Gumbura back behind bars 

Gumbura’s ‘sex for school fees project’ 

Videos played in court yesterday allegedly showed pastor Robert Martin Gumbura, the leader of RMG Independent End Time Message, insulting and threatening church members who rebelled against him with death and other misfortunes. In one of the videos, Gumbura claimed that he owned all the women in the church. The videos were played during his trial in which he is facing charges of raping seven women from his church.

The State led by Mr Jonathan Murombedzi called its 11th and last witness Superintendent Ndabezinhle Moyo, the investigating officer in the case, who told the court that he recovered the DVD’s from Gumbura’s house.

The first video showed Gumbura giving a speech after last year’s Christmas party which was held at his church. In that speech, he claimed that all the women in the church were his. He also insulted those who tried to reprimand him.

“Ndini baba vechurch ino saka handidi vanhu vanondiendera kumberi. Ndikatora mukadzi moti ndatora mukadzi wemunhu, kwete ndinenge ndatora mukadzi wangu wandinenge ndambokupa. Vakadzi vangu vese ava saka ndikamutora ndewangu,” the video showed him as saying.

“How can an old woman come to me claiming that I am abusing Bester whom I am not even dating manje ndakutodzidzira kumuda Bester wacho. I heard that there are people going around gossiping that I am abusing other people’s children while I am safeguarding mine, handizvide izvozvo.

“I know that the people who left this church are the ones who are spreading such lies manje to hell with anamai Musharu who left this church, after all there is nothing special about her,” he said in the video.

Interestingly, Bester is now Gumbura’s 11th wife.

While being led by Mr Murombedzi, Supt Moyo told the court that all the victims told him they were afraid to report Gumbura to the police or runaway from his church for they feared to be placed in the hands of Satan.

They were responding to questions on why they took long to report the charges.

Supt Moyo showed another video in which Gumbura was commending people in the hands of Satan while preaching during a church service.

In the same video, Gumbura was somehow bragging and listed more than 10 people who allegedly died after he placed them in the hands of the devil.

Gumbura warned people who were putting letters in a suggestion box at the church complaining about his behaviour and also those who were writing bad things about him on social networks that he would make them suffer and die.

“Kana ndisingade kuti ubve pachurch pano haubve. I have my own way of sending you away nicely. You cannot leave my church without my permission,” he said in the video.

“I am your pastor and I am also human, hence I make my mistakes. Even if you see me today drinking Castle (beer) that does not mean that I no-longer have the powers to preach to you or commit you in the hands of Satan.

“Look at those who tried to be clever, where are they now? They are all dead after I placed them in the hands of Satan and Satan dealt with them,” the court heard.

He listed the people whom he claimed had died under his spells.

Gumbura further ordered everyone in the church to rise while he prayed to God so that Satan would kill some people. In his prayer he mentioned some of the victim’s names.

In the prayer, he said; “Satan tambanudza maoko ako utambire vanhu ava ndakupa in the name of Jesus. Ndoda kuti Mwari avatsiure nerufu, ngavafe, ngavashaye mabasa, mbereko, vashaye rugare mumamarriages avo, ngavaite tsaona . . .”

During cross-examination, Gumbura’s lawyer Ms Rekai Maposa accused Supt Moyo of working hand-in-hand with Pastor Chitsinde and the victims to lay false allegations against her client.

She also accused Supt Moyo of re-recording witnesses’ statements to suit their motives.

She argued why the statements had to be re-recorded after they had been initially recorded by the police’s victim friendly department.

Gospel music today is no doubt filled with various personalities and different styles. But there are many more gospel musicians that are yet to be discovered or given opportunity to market their style music because there is a general tendency by people to favour established artists.

One of them is Alexander Sikelo (42), a musician, who sings with the praise and worship team of one of the fastest growing Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe, the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries known as the Yadah Voices.

He recently released his third album Nezita RaJesu Kristu, a beautiful production which can send all reggae lovers onto their feet.

The first two albums titled It Is Possible and Wauya Munyaradzi, have so far done very well on the local airwaves.

In an interview recently, Sikelo said he sings all the parts in these productions from soprano, alto, tenor and bass. But he fuses women’s voices on some of the tracks.

A trained music tutor in vocals and choreography, Sikelo bemoaned the fact that established musicians are reluctant to collaborate with upcoming choirs and bands and yet this is the norm all over the world. He cited the ease with which secular artistes are able to work together and pump out hits for their audiences.

Kirk Franklin, a popular Afro American, has enjoyed tremendous success collaborating with many artistes in both the Christian and secular world.

Locally, musicians like Oliver ‘Tuku” Mtukudzi have had collaborations with various artistes in Africa and one that comes to mind is Jordan Katembula a popular musician from Zambia. Tuku has also had collaborations with a good number of musicians like Willom Tight, the Chimbetu’s and many others.

 Pastor Gee, is yet another celebrated gospel artiste who has done collaborations.

“Tuku has sung with so many artists, but gospel artistes seem to be doing it for the love of money and not preaching the word through music. There is a too much jealousy in the gospel music industry. To hire equipment from locally established gospel artistes will charge you $5 000 just for an album launch where one will for example sing just one song. But musicians in secular music prop each other for free because they are a united force.”

Sikelo has performed with Tutani Ndumiso a well-known South African gospel artiste and performs at weddings and corporate functions. He also performed to raise funds following the train-bus crash that killed nearly 36 people at the Tynwald North/Dzivaresekwa rail road junction in 2007.

“The situation here is very different like for example South Africa. Established and famous musicians in that country groom upcoming musicians to produce perfected tunes. I dream of doing collaboration with the Charamba’s and Fishers of Men . . . that will be the best thing that can happen to me. I adore Baba Charamba,” Sikelo said.

He described Madzibaba Zacharia aka Senior Lecturer, a guitarist with Yadah Voices, as a unique guitarist, performer and humble songwriter.

“I have learnt a lot from this man. Humbleness is the key to achieving greater heights. Many musicians push people around and want to see downfall of upcoming musicians. Madzibaba Zacharia is a great man of faith who nurtures talent.

“You should have faith first because every songs should minister to people that will buy the dvds. You must also have faith that people will like your productions. There are so many DJs who request for my music when their dvds get scratched or get damaged . . . This actually shows that I have a following that is yearning for my music,” he said.

His manager Rodwell Banda, who is also his child hood friend when they were growing in Mabvuku, chipped in and said that Sikelo is a great preacher, teacher of the Bible and an awesome musician.

“If you like music by the late Lucky Dube’s of South Africa, you are likely to embrace Sikelo’s music. We will start arranging for live shows by the grace of God. Or greatest challenge is the lack of equipment, but we will break into the gospel music arena. We will be travelling to Zimbabwe’s outskirt areas this year to spread the word through music,” Banda said.

Away from the microphone, Sikelo, who lives in Westlea, is a farmer and also runs a buying and selling 

Church leaders in Bulawayo have expressed outrage over Roman Catholic Archbishop for blessing the statue of the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo, saying it is pure idolatry.

The Roman Catholic Father said a prayer to bless the statue on December 22 during the unveiling of the statue.

The event was attended by President Robert Mugabe, Nkomo’s Family and senior government officials.

Speaking to RelZim a local Pastor who preferred anonymity said God has no regard for statues and it was not biblical for the Priest to bless the statue.

“This is not biblical because nowhere in scripture have we ever found statues being blessed. In actual fact God encouraged statues to be destroyed because they were dividing people’s attention,” a local pastor said.

“Catholics hold statues in high esteem and it was not surprising to hear the man of the cloth praying for a statue,” he said adding that although he respects the work done by the late Father Zimbabwe, he would not have blessed his statue.

Another Pastor from Life Abundant Ministries, Enectus Moyo, said the Priest was overzealous in his approach to national events of such magnitude.

“The priest was only supposed to open the event with a word of prayer and not bless the statue because that does not make sense,” Moyo said.

Youthful prophet Sibangaliso Mafu blasted the Priest, saying his behaviour was inappropriate for a true clergy.

However Priests from traditional churches said there was nothing wrong with blessing the statue since it he was just fulfilling the day’s programme.

Since the statue was unveiled, it has hogged the limelight in the second largest city as people are seen taking photos beside it.

Harare Magistrate, Hosea Mujaya, today postponed judgment in a case in which Independent End Time Message founder, Robert Martin Gumbura, is facing nine counts of raping six of his congregates, after he ordered an inspection at Gumbura’s residence where the sex crimes are alleged to have been committed.

Gumbura has however pleaded not guilty to the charges claiming he had consensual sex with the women.

Today, Gumbura led the State together with the police around the house in which he had sexual intercourse with the women which he claims was by consent.

Tomorrow, the State and the defence are expected to make their submissions before Mujaya.

Court number 16 at the Harare Magistrates Court was fully packed today as congregates; relatives, friends of Gumbura as well as some of the victims came to hear the judgment which was supposed to have been delivered today.

Clad in his prison garb, Gumbura appeared unshaken and wore a cheerful face at his residence.

As journalists arrived at his compound, Gumbura was cracking jokes and said: “You should at least have waited for me to put on a suit not this prison uniform.”

He added that he preferred to be covered by the State media as the private media seemed to have developed some hostility towards him.

During the inspection, he argued that there was no way he could have raped the female congregates of his church as the house where he had sexual intercourse with them was near to the site where builders who were constructing his 25 bedroomed house were working.

Gumbura’s compound comprises a total of seven houses and several cars were parked outside.

His wives told journalists that they had been fasting since their husband’s arrest and were confident that he would be set free after which they would move into their 25 bedroomed mansion which is near completion.

See related reading:

Gumbura wives to stand trial on January 14

Harare Magistrate, Hosea Mujaya has postponed judgment in a case in which Independent End Time Message founder, Robert Martin Gumbura, is facing nine counts of raping six female members of his church.

Yesterday, the State as well as the defence counsel led by Rekayi Maphosa made an inspection at the home of Gumbura where he is alleged to have raped the women and today, they presented their submissions before Mujaya.

The State led by Jonathan Murombedzi contended that Gumbura’s residence has a tight security system which made it impossible for his victims to escape.

He said this gave credence to evidence by the victims that they could not escape due to the tight security. He said that the court should put into consideration as well that the victims were subjected to psychological and spiritual fear

Gumbura’s residence has a security wall measuring three meters while the other side of his durawall measures 1,8 meters.

However, the defence counsel, led by Rekayi Maphosa, maintained that the security system could not have prevented the rape victims from escaping and that some gates at the house of Gumbura were usually open during the day.

Maphosa further argued that about 200 people would gather at the accused person’s residence daily and it was not possible for him to rape the women in the presence of such a huge crowd.

Gumbura denies the rape allegations against him claiming that he had consensual sex with the women.

See related reading:

Gumbura’s judgment postponed to Thursday 

House Number 6 Helena Close, Marlborough, was yesterday the scene of proceedings in the month–long trial of RMG Independent End Time Message Church leader Robert Martin Gumbura (57) who is facing charges of rape.

The court moved to his spacious and luxurious residence after the magistrate ordered an inspection in loco apparently to familiarise himself with the scene of the alleged crimes.

Gumbura’s house is one of the places where some of his rape victims alleged their nightmares occurred.

The first impression one gets upon entering the main gate at the house is a sense of disorder. Other than the main huge house, there are several cottages inside the compound. There is also an imposing two–storey mansion which stands tall, dwarfing the smaller buildings.

A team of builders could also be seen extending what Gumbura said was a church at the premises. They went about their business unperturbed by the invasion of armed anti-riot police, court officials and journalists.

The court was led by the presiding magistrate in the case, Harare regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya.

Also present was the prosecution team of Jonathan Murombedzi and Kudzai Chigwedere as well as defence counsels Rekai Maphosa and Emmanuel Samundombe.

The investigating officer, Chief Superintendent Ndabezinhle Moyo made indications to the court, giving an account of how they arrived at the premises and the discoveries they made during the course of their investigations.

The front of the house has a thick, solid wall measuring two metres high where a massive green iron gate rests between the entrance to the compound, measuring approximately 3 metres in height and 5,4 metres in length.

The backyard of the house resembled a car cemetery where several broken down vehicles, including a lorry, appear to have been abandoned. Several more cars — some of which seemed to be in fairly good condition — sat on piles of bricks.

Two top–of–the–range vehicles, a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Mitsubishi Pajero, were parked inside the garage of the mansion under construction.

Although there is nothing particularly striking about the house, it is the exquisite furniture in most of the rooms that speaks of money. The furniture items include designer display cabinets, luxurious beds and expensive chandeliers.

“Now this is opulence!” remarked a member of the police anti-riot squad, apparently unable to help himself at the spectacle of the wealth in Gumbura’s house.

In the main lounge is an impressionist painting of Jesus Christ which has, however, been done to include Gumbura and End Time Message founder William Branham.

One of the offices in the main house has cabinets full of books such as The Qur’an, Men of the Bible, Thabo Mbeki: The Dream Deferred as well as several Bible dictionaries and commentaries. There were also DVDs that included Occultic Kingdom, Nigerian movie collections and music CDs of Alick Macheso and the late Beater Mangethe, among others.

While in the storeroom where police recovered the pornographic material for which he also stands accused, Gumbura explained to the court that all “ungodly” material that would have been surrendered by new converts would be stored in that room before they were destroyed.

“The burnings are not done all the time,” he said. “We only do that in April, August and December. The furniture that is also stored here (including lounge suites, chairs and fridges) is meant to be given away to the poor.”

During the inspection, some of Gumbura’s wives could be seen loitering around the premises while the children had been sent off to one of the cottages where they sat under the watchful eye of an adult.

Gumbura was at pains to explain why one of the back gates – which he claimed has always been open during the time the rape is alleged to have been committed, was locked up. The magistrate asked that it be opened, but efforts to do so failed.

The trial continues today with the investigating officer expected to undergo cross –examination on the inspection in –loco.

We close the year on a sad and disturbing note. The ongoing trial of a pastor on allegations of several counts of rape is deeply worrying.

Rising poverty has given birth to the establishment of many diverse churches. Many Zimbabweans desperate for an end to their financial and social problems have become easy prey for some unscrupulous church leaders.

For any rational person it would seem so easy to be able to tell whether or not some of the new churches littering the country are truly there to win souls for the Lord or merely for the enrichment of the pastor and his cronies. But judging from the many people who end up complaining about the evils perpetrated by leaders in some churches, it is obviously not so easy to separate the good from the bad.

There are very simple guidelines that anyone should be able to employ to be able to tell if the church they have chosen has sensible values or simply a cult that benefits its originator.

We have had several cases of women complaining of rape or sexual abuse at the hands of church leaders. Women make up the large numbers of the people who rush to become members of any new church that promises miracles. It would be easy to say some women are gullible but the reality is that poverty is the driving force behind all this.

I have nothing against adult men and women who head off into the deep dark forest in search of wealth and salvation. But I find it hard to forgive parents who allow their teenage daughters to follow them blindly and fail to yank their daughters away when they are preyed upon.

Zimbabwe guarantees freedom of religion. Maybe what we need are stringent checks to ensure that the country does not end up with churches that engage in acts that have nothing to do with Christianity. Churches that are proponents of polygamous marriages or marrying-off of teenage girls should be closely monitored.

Parents should be held accountable for being party to the sexual abuse of their children.

Any sensible woman should know that any pastor who asks for sexual favours is certainly not doing God’s work. The moment something like that happens you should not only run as fast as your little religious legs can carry you, but report to the police.

It is sad that we now have some pastors who claim to have powers to change the course of their members’ lives and use the power they wield over their congregation to hold them hostage. Miracles are supposed to be for the greater good not for a pastor to wreck havoc in people’s lives.

Growing poverty and increasing numbers of people who believe that they can become rich without ever working a day, are some of the reasons why anyone can start a church today, promise miracles and that church will be swarming with people.

Do yourself a favour — face reality — wealth comes with a lot of hard work. Find honest ways of making money. Protect yourself and members of your family from being abused by unscrupulous people who pretend to care for your welfare. Church is good but choose your church carefully. Be responsible for your beliefs.

By all means go to church and pray as hard as you can, but open your eyes and use a bit of common sense when it comes to some of the doctrines you are force-fed.

We all have a God-given ability to tell good and bad apart, but some people choose to cede that decision to people they see as demi-gods. Your life and religion are your responsibility. Only God has power over your life and he does not sub-contract his powers to other people, to be used for evil gains.

What happened to old Christianity where people prayed to God, believed in Jesus and not the pastor? Can someone please tell me why more and more people now place pastors at par with Jesus or God?
Why do more and more people now believe that you do not have to work hard to earn a living or get rich?  Obviously a whole bunch of people need an urgent lobotomy.

Have a merry Christmas and use the time to reflect on your religious choices.

Gospel musician Mathias Mhere has roped in the services of hilarious comedian Sabhuku Vharazipi for his forthcoming DVD, Nguva Yenyasha.

Real name David Mubaiwa, Sabhuku Vharazipi will feature on the video of the song Ziya Rangu off the musician’s latest album.

The musician said the venture was a gesture of unity between artists.

“We have decided to work with Sabhuku Vharazipi on this must-watch DVD as a way of showing unity among artists and the project is going to be better than our previous projects,” Mhere said.

From his previous projects such as Anoita Minana DVD shot in high definition, Mhere proved his creativity effortlessly depicting his messages.

Purpose and optimism have kept Mhere’s spirit alive and have seen him enjoy glory after glory on the local gospel scene.

His music has been rocking in public transport, households and most public places, while local radio stations have also accorded him massive airplay.

Sabhuku Vharazipi said he was delighted to feature on Mhere’s project.

“Featuring on this DVD is a great opportunity for me to further showcase my talent as a versatile artist,” Sabhuku Vharazipi said.

“Although this will be my maiden appearance on a musical video, it does not mean that is my first engagement in music. I have written many songs waiting for release in future.”

He said artists should stop being selective in collaborations so that the audience would emulate the unity of purpose. At the end of last year, Sabhuku Vharazipi was reported to have shared the stage with Dendera musician Sulumani Chimbetu in Zvishavane.

This comes after the comedian’s pledge to start working with musicians as a way to market his productions.

A Kwekwe-based teacher has released a seven-track jazz inspired gospel album titled “Seasons”. Bruce Moyo, a primary-school teacher from Mbizo, says he was inspired to venture into music by popular jazz maestro and former headmaster Bob Nyabinde.Popularly known as “The Headmaster”, Nyabinde started singing when he was a primary school headmaster at RJ Davies Primary School in Kwekwe, where he featured some of his students in some of his music videos.

Nyabinde went on to produce the hit song “Chabuda Hapana” on his debut album “Pane Nyaya”, then two more albums before calling it quits, in his teaching career to focus on his musical one, a feat which Moyo is trying to emulate.

At the moment Nyabinde besides his musical career is also into mending broken down guitars.

In an interview with The Herald Entertainment Moyo said he performed live shows with his band, whenever he was free especially during school breaks and vacations.

“I compose my lyrics by observing life and the different circumstances around me. I am inspired by God’s works on humanity and my passion for music is what prompted me to take music as a study area in my teaching,” he said.

The album is a fusion of Afro-jazz and gospel music and it was recorded at Neo Studios in Masvingo.

“My band contains eight session artists who perform at different times when we feel it is necessary and not clashing with my teaching profession and their schedule,” Moyo added.

He added that the songs are predominantly in English where he narrates his past experiences and what happens in day-to-day life, all of which he puts in context with his Christian faith.

The songs on the album include the title track “Seasons”, “Sure Hope Anthem”, “Lord I need You”, “Zviri Nani” and “Zuva Iro”, among others.

Moyo says he shall be shooting videos of his new album which he says shall be coming out in a few months.

“We shall be recording videos and we want to take our time as we want to bring to the people the very best of videos,” says Moyo.

Gospel music group Masimba Edenga will launch their ninth album titled “Upenyu Hwedu” at Harare Gardens on Sunday.

The launch of the 12-track album will coincide with the closing ceremony of the United Methodist Church’s 10 day gathering which will be graced by members of the church’s Harare district who will be entertained and blessed by music from the group’s catalogue of albums.

According to Misheck Mukumire, who is Masimba Edenga’s executive director, all the songs carried on the album were selected by the group’s patron, Dennis Zaranyika, the managing director of Seedco.

“We have been working with him for more than three years and he was impressed by the way we do our music. He then requested us to give him an opportunity to select songs of his choice which would make up an album and the result was this album.

“These are the songs which he says give him hope and vision where there seems to be none and we hope that these songs will do the same to the general public and Zimbabwe as a whole,” Mukumire said.

Mukumire said the album – which is a fusion of both hymns and choruses – appealed to all age groups and were of relevance to the Zimbabwean set-up in the way that they promoted peace, love and unity.

“This album is a form of preaching. It urges unity among people despite the challenges that they might be facing. If we unite we will manoeuvre as a nation,” he said.

Some of the tracks carried on the album include “Hakuna Hama Kupinda Jesu”, “Mwari Mubatsiri Wangu”, “Mune Zita Risimo”, Upenyu Hawangu Hunofara among others.

Masimba Edenga rose to prominence with their two albums “Mazambara Vol 1 and 2” which made them a sought-after group, especially at state and other social and religious functions.

“The biggest challenge we are facing is piracy. ”

Masimba Edenga was formed in 2006.

Revival nights service 

Time: 2 pm to 5 pm