Two members of an apostolic sect from Kadoma are in police custody for murder after allegedly killing a local man during an argument about “holy ashes.”
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the suspects, Misheck Muperiwa (22) and Costain Tshuma (28) attacked Shepherd Mphofu (48) when he tried to prevent them from sprinkling the ashes.
The incident took place on Friday, January 31, at a house in Mupamombe Phase 1, Kadoma. Police said:
<blockquote>
Police in Kadoma arrested Misheck Muperiwa (22) and Costain Tshuma (28) in connection with a murder case which occurred on 31/01/25 at a house in Mupamombe Phase 1.
The two suspects, who are members of an apostolic sect, allegedly attacked Shepherd Mphofu (48) after he tried to stop them from sprinkling what they call holy ashes in the residential area.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Two men from Kadoma were arrested for killing a man over an argument about "holy ashes". The suspects, Misheck Muperiwa (22) and Costain Tshuma (28), attacked Shepherd Mphofu (48) when he stopped them from sprinkling ashes. The incident happened on January 31 at a house in Kadoma. The police arrested the suspects for murder. Muperiwa and Tshuma are members of an apostolic sect. They attacked Mphofu for trying to prevent them from sprinkling the ashes in the area.

Kadoma Man Killed For Stopping Madzibaba From Sprinkling "Holy Ashes"

A gang armed with pistols and machetes reportedly stormed a Bulawayo-based self-proclaimed prophet (madzibaba)’s church service, forcing him to flee for his life.
According to <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/armed-gang-disrupts-church-service/">B-Metro</a>, the incident occurred on Sunday last week in West Nicholson, Matabeleland South province.
Archbishop Emmanuel Mutumwa leader of the Johanne Masowe eChishanu was ministering to his congregants when he was confronted by the eight-member gang.
The assailants are believed to have been friends of a gold miner from Gwanda who recently died in a road accident on his way to Bulawayo.
They stormed the shrine and tried to attack Archbishop Mutumwa as revenge after he allegedly prophesied the gold miner’s death.
At around 5 PM, the assailants approached Archbishop Mutumwa and ordered him to end the service saying he should follow them.
B-Metro reported a source as saying the assailants told Mutumwa that they did not want the members of the church to be caught in the crossfire.
When some members of the congregation asked why they were being asked to leave early, one of the gang members allegedly drew a gun from behind and pointed it at Archbishop Mutumwa’s face before other gang members ran to their vehicles to get machetes.
Archbishop Mutumwa then jumped into his car and drove off at high speed while his assailants pursued him for about 30 kilometres.
At one point, the gang members allegedly tried to force Archbishop Mutumwa to drive into a bridge, pointing a gun at him the whole time.
The source, who is a senior member of the church who witnessed the incident, was quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
He was (Archbishop Mutumwa) chased by the gang for about 30 kilometres along the Gwanda-Beitbridge highway.
He later sought help from police officers and soldiers manning a roadblock near Makhado Business Centre.
He narrated his ordeal to them and they later sought help from police officers from Gwanda Town who later escorted him to Bulawayo.
Archbishop Mutumwa is now living in fear of being harmed by the suspects after they vowed to kill him.
The suspects also harassed some church members accusing them of supporting the prophet. He went into hiding soon after he reported the matter to the police.
</blockquote>
Archbishop Mutumwa later told B-Metro that he reported the matter to the Police and said that he was glad that no one was injured in the incident. He said:
<blockquote>
It is true that a gang armed with pistols and machetes stormed and disrupted my church service while threatening to shoot me and later attacked church members with machetes.
They chased me for about 30 kilometres while trying to shoot me. They only retreated after they failed to catch up with me…
Violence is never the answer, and we should all respect each other’s beliefs and opinions.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Matabeleland South Province Inspector Loveness Mangena said she had not yet received the report of the incident.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Armed Gang Storm Madzibaba's Shrine Over Death Prophecy

A Grade 6 pupil at Seventh-day Adventist Church-run Lowveld Primary School in Chiredzi hung himself from a tree last Tuesday after he was reprimanded by his mother.
The boy, Frank Muvavarirwa (12), of Makondo Extension, took his own life after being ordered to return two clay pots (mbiya) he allegedly picked at an apostolic sect shrine.
Frank hung himself from a tree in a bushy area near his parents’ house at around 9 AM after his mother Rangarirai Chamisa had instructed him to return the two clay pots he had brought home.
The Mirror reported a source as saying the mother thought that Frank had taken the clay pots from a shrine and a Madzibaba could cast a bad spell on the family. Said the source:
<blockquote>
Frank came home carrying two pots at around 9 am and his mother instructed him to take them back because she suspected that they belong to a Madzibaba who could cast a curse on him.
He left home with the pots and did not return. His mother went looking for him only to find him hanging from a tree in a nearby bush.
</blockquote>
ZRP Masvingo provincial spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident to The Mirror and said police were yet to determine the cause of the suicide. | <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/chiredzi-boy-hangs-self-after-picking-madzibaba-clay-pots%ef%bf%bc/">The Mirror</a>

Chiredzi Boy Hangs Self After Picking Madzibaba's Clay Pots

A white garment self-styled prophet was recently sentenced to 12 months in prison for caressing his client’s private parts and fondling her breasts during a healing “session.”
Simbarashe Shereni (32) appeared before Mutare magistrate, Prisca Manhibi, charged with indecent assault as defined in Section 67 (1) (a) (i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
Shereni will, however, serve an effective six-month jail term after six months were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
Prosecuting, Mazvita Kadenha, said that on 9 November this year, near Moffat (Moses Mvenge) Hall in Mutare, Shereni unlawfully caressed Christine Munyanyiwa’s (21) private parts and stomach. Said Kadenha:
<blockquote>
On November 9, the complainant went to Shereni’s shrine near Moffat Hall to seek spiritual assistance from him.
Shereni ordered the complainant to fetch some firewood to heat some stones for steaming. He covered the complainant with a cloth and steamed her.
After that, Shereni asked the complainant to kneel in front of him. He held the complainant’s skirt and panties and pulled them down.
He caressed the complainant’s lower part of the stomach and her privates.
The accused also fondled the complainant’s breast saying he was casting out the evil spirits in her stomach, breasts and private parts. This was done without her consent.
</blockquote>
Shereni said he didn’t mean to abuse the young woman but was helping her to make full progress in her life. He said:
<blockquote>
The spirit of God showed me that she had spells (zvitsinga) in her body that were blocking her life from fully progressing. I wanted to help her so that her life would be progressive.
I removed the spells from her breasts, although I didn’t touch them. I simply gave her instructions on what to do.
I then removed a furry and breathing thing from her private parts and threw it in the fire.
I didn’t ask for payment as I am only a servant of God.
</blockquote>
He also said when the complainant arrived at the shrine, there were two other clients.
Shereni, however, said when he “helped” the complainant, they were alone. | <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/shrine-turns-into-rapists-paradise/">The Manica Post</a>

White Garment "Prophet" Fondles Woman (21) During Healing Session

A Chimanimani man died on Monday last week after he was struck by a lightning bolt at a faith healer’s shrine where he had gone to seek his spiritual assistance.
Tichaona Mathew Ngoma (30) died at Madzibaba Tarisai Misheck’s shrine.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) deputy spokesperson in Manicaland Province, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said the incident happened in Chibuwe Village in Chief Mutambara’s area. He said:
<blockquote>
Ngoma visited Madzibaba Misheck’s shrine on October 21 seeking spiritual assistance. Madzibaba Misheck advised him to stay at the shrine for seven days and he complied.
On October 24, Ngoma and his colleague, Valentine Mukomo, went to a nearby river to bath.
After bathing, they proceeded to a nearby bush to fetch firewood as they wanted to cook.
It started raining and they rushed back to the shrine and left the firewood under a tree.
They sought shelter in a tent that was at the shrine. Ngoma was struck by a lightning bolt and died on the spot.
</blockquote>
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka added that Ngoma’s body was taken to Nyanyadzi Rural Hospital mortuary. | <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/lightning-kills-one-at-madzibabas-shrine/">The Manica Post</a>

Man Struck By Lightning At A Faith Healer's Shrine

Sungura musician Nicholas Zakaria, popularly known as Madzibaba, said he was happy to be appreciated on his 66th birthday.
Madzibaba received a lot of gifts at his birthday celebration held at Nyaradzo Functions Room in Harare.
He has been in the music industry for 47 years and he formed his band, Khiama Boys 40 years ago.
Madzibaba recently launched his 29th studio album titled “Musabvunda”. Speaking to H-Metro on the sidelines of the event, Madzibaba said:
<blockquote>
It’s a long journey that I have travelled and each time I reflect on the journey it seems like yesterday.
I have never thought that one day people will gather around appreciating the good things that I have done over the years.
I can’t say I am perfect but I am just happy to be appreciated.
I will continue assisting those who want my expertise and it is up to them to come back and say thank you.
I have weaned off a number of artists over the years and I still continue doing so.
Only death will stop me from fulfilling my mandate.
</blockquote>
Madzibaba, who is also nicknamed Senior Lecturer, said he celebrated his 66th birthday with a heavy heart because the majority of musicians that he mentored are now late.
The Senior Lecturer’s list of students, who are late, includes System Tazvida, Amon Mvula, Cephas Karushanga, Arron Chinamira and Tineyi Chikupo.
Some of his students who are still alive include his wife, Margaret Gweshe, who was part of the mighty Khiama Boys, Alick Macheso and Simon Mutambi.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/madzibaba-pampered-with-gifts/">H-Metro</a></h4>

Nicholas Zakaria Happy To Be Appreciated On 66th Birthday

A Mutare-based self-proclaimed prophet, Madzibaba Maxwell Muguta, who was arrested for the possession of a snake has been convicted and fined for contravening the Parks and Wildlife Act.
The self-proclaimed prophet said he had bought the snake from a traditional healer.
He was intercepted by the police who were acting on a tipoff. Muguta intended to transport the live snake to Mutare.
During his cross-examination in court, Madzibaba Muguta admitted that he had bought the snake from an unnamed traditional healer in Seke for US$70.
He was subsequently convicted and fined ZWL$30 thousand or four months in prison should he fail to pay the fine.
In addition, he was given a five months sentence, which was wholly suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence involving hunting or removing any animal from any land without a permit or licence.

<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/09/madzibaba-arrested-after-being-found-with-cobra/">Madzibaba Arrested After Being Found With Cobra</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/19/madzibaba-brags-about-causing-wifes-blindness/">Madzibaba Brags About Causing Wife’s Blindness</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/29/madzibaba-goes-insane-after-3-day-session-at-a-sacred-mountain-report/">Madzibaba Goes Insane After 3 Day Session At A Sacred Mountain – Report</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/26/rape-accused-madzibaba-attempts-midnight-marriage-rituals-to-conceal-crime/">Rape-accused Madzibaba Attempts Midnight Marriage Rituals To Conceal Crime</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/11/06/popular-madzibaba-arrested-at-airport-over-smuggling/">Popular Madzibaba Arrested At Airport Over Smuggling</a></li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>; <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/madzibaba-arrested-after-being-found-with-snake/">ZBC News</a>

UPDATE: Snake Possessing Madzibaba Convicted

10 members of a Nyanga family died under mysterious circumstances with some family members suspecting that it could be the work of goblins.
The family had to seek for spiritual help from “prophet” <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Madzibaba_Nzira" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Madzibaba Shepherd Nzira</a>, who leads the Zvakazarurwa Zvevapostori Church. In an interview with Manica Post, family member Francis Nzvenga said:
<blockquote>Family members have died mysteriously until we established that there was witchcraft in the family. We could not figure out who exactly was behind the death of about 10 family members and then engaged Madzibaba Nzira, who exposed the culprit.
… What shocked us most is that inside one of the clay pots was a paper with a list of people that had died mysteriously and earmarked to die.</blockquote>
The “prophet” allegedly retrieved suspected tools of witchcraft which included a creepy-like goblin, lance, knobkerrie tied with hyena tail and clay pot filled with blood.
Madzibaba Nzira told the family that a number of family members were bound to die in the future. He promised the family that he had dealt with the problem and they will not be haunted again.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/suspected-goblins-kill-10-family-members/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Manica Post</a></h4>

Madzibaba Latest News

Latest Jobs