Langa Mabena
Musawenkosi Moyo
A bizarre prophecy landed a 22-year-old Bulawayo man in court after a visit to a prophet, who allegedly revealed the man’s intention to kill his stepfather.
Following this revelation, the stepfather reported the matter to the police, leading to the man’s arrest. This came to light when Brian Muzamba appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ernest Muzembe, facing physical abuse charges.
Throughout the trial, Muzamba maintained his innocence, making a shocking revelation: the allegations stemmed from a prophecy made by a local prophet.
He claimed that on the day of his arrest, he and his mother had visited a shrine belonging to a prophet known as Madzibaba Bhebhe.
While there, the prophet reportedly told them he had received a prophetic vision and instructed them to call Muzamba’s stepfather, Crynos Joseph, to the shrine, telling him to bring an axe.
He further told the court that upon Joseph’s arrival, the prophet declared that Muzamba intended to kill his stepfather with the axe and began praying while holding the axe.
Shortly after returning home from the shrine, he was arrested by the police. He further told the court he was shocked by the prophecy, as he had a good relationship with his stepfather.
Joseph confirmed that they had visited the shrine and received a prophecy, but claimed that Muzamba had threatened him before the visit.
He told the court that Muzamba had threatened to kill him, his mother and then himself, and that the constant threats had forced him to leave his house and sleep in the bush out of fear.
However, the magistrate acquitted Muzamba, ruling that the State had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
He cited discrepancies between the complainant’s statement and the state outline and raised concern over the influence of religious figures in escalating such disputes.
“We have had many cases where people have even killed their own mothers as a result of following prophets and prophecies,” charged the magistrate.
The allegations against Muzamba were that on December 10, at around 8pm in Mahatshula North, Bulawayo, he threatened to strike the complainant with an axe after a misunderstanding. The complainant reportedly fled and reported the matter to the police, leading to Muzamba’s arrest.
Online Reporter