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A jailed member of Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa Mufani’s sect yesterday corroborated his leader’s testimony that ACCZ president Bishop Ndanga, was “fixing” them for refusing to pray for him and former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru so that they take over leadership of the country.
Takavengwa Gwenzi said their leader, Madzibaba Mufani, had more spiritual powers than popular prophets, “UFIC leader Emmanuel Makandiwa and PHD Ministries founder Walter Magaya” and that was why Bishop Ndanga approached them for spiritual guidance.
Gwenzi, who is a defence witness and was jailed last year alongside other sect members for public violence, told the court that Mufani was not at the shrine on the day in question.
“It is a lie to say that Madzibaba Mufani was there because I never saw him at the shrine. I remember that day my child was sick and Madzibaba Mufani is our hospital, I actually looked for him so that he could heal my sick child and he was not at the shrine. Ndanga and his people fabricated all this,” he said.
“During our trial they said it was me who first launched the attack and in this case they are now implicating Madzibaba Mufani. It is clear that these people are lying because we refused to comply with their orders,” he said.
Gwenzi had no kind words for ACCZ arguing that it was a political organisation, which was after money hiding under the name of Christianity.
During cross-examination, the prosecutor Ms Francesca Mukumbiri said: “Witness I put it to you that you are lying under oath as you are just trying to exonerate your ‘hospital’ (Mufani) so that he can heal your children at the shrine without going to the hospital. You are also trying to bring in politics in this matter so that the accused would get sympathy but that will not work.”
The fifth defence witness, Joseph Sande, tried to clear Mufani by alleging that he was with him in Hurungwe when the offence was committed.
Ms Mukumbiri reminded him that the offence was committed last year but he insisted that Mufani came to Hurungwe in 2013.
Upon noticing that the gallery was in stitches, Sande tried to retract: “Aiwa mirai tione, igore rakapera paseri paakauya, aiwa kani gore rakapera ratabva iri (Let me see, he came last year but one, no, it was last year,)” he said.
Ms Mukumbiri had no kind words for him: “You were coached and your evidence is tailor-made. You have so much confusion.
“Anyway thank you for selling yourself out.”
Another member of the sect, Spartwell Marewa, also tried to clear Mufani but contradicted Sande’s testimony.
“He told the court that Mufani was in Hurungwe from May to September yet Sande said he was in Hurungwe from May to August.
Magistrate Mr Milton Serima presided over the case while Mr Tawanda Takaendesa acted on behalf of Mufani. The trial continues.
Online Reporter