Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Weekender Correspondent
BETTING fever in Mutare has reached unprecedented levels, with desperate punters now turning to self-styled prophets’ shrines in search of “spiritual luck” to boost their chances of winning, The Weekender has established.
In high-density suburbs such as Dangamvura, Hobhouse and Chikanga, prophets’ shrines have become popular destinations for gamblers hoping to secure divine intervention before placing their bets.
With local and international sports betting operators mushrooming across the city, spiritual guidance has emerged as one of the most sought-after ways of chasing a quick fortune.
So regular have the visits become that some punters now dedicate specific days—mostly weekends ahead of major international fixtures such as the English Premier League, La Liga and Serie A — to seek blessings.
Many insist on strict privacy, often visiting under the cover of darkness.
Mutare-based prophet, Madzibaba Skynage Marwakuona, confirmed that his shrine is increasingly overwhelmed by punters seeking betting luck, sometimes outnumbering those who come for healing or deliverance.
“This time the situation has escalated. Many people are coming specifically for betting luck. Some arrive frustrated after losing for months or even years, convinced that something is blocking their breakthrough. We pray for them and strengthen their faith. Some later return with testimonies, celebrating wins and claiming things have changed for them,” he said.
However, Madzibaba Marwakuona cautioned that spiritual assistance is not a guarantee of success.
“It is not every day that people win. Spiritual help is not magic—faith plays a big role. Some win today and lose tomorrow; that is the nature of betting. We remove spiritual hindrances and encourage discipline, but if people misuse their money or become greedy, even spiritual help will not work. Yes, there are success stories, but people must understand that betting is unpredictable,” he explained.
Another Mutare-based prophet, Madzibaba Nzira, also acknowledged the growing trend, attributing repeated losses in the betting industry to bad luck, locally known as munyama.
He said his shrine receives visitors almost daily seeking spiritual intervention for a wide range of challenges, including infertility, marital problems, chronic illnesses and unemployment.
However, he noted a recent shift, with an increasing number of people now coming solely for help in winning sports bets.
“Most of these individuals are experiencing financial misfortune (minyama), which prevents them from succeeding despite repeated attempts,” said Madzibaba Nzira.
“As a prophet, I first establish the root cause of the problem before offering assistance.
“That is why you will find some people winning consistently, while others remain trapped in prolonged losing streaks,” he explained.
A punter who requested anonymity said prophets had been assisting him and a friend.
“It is about misfortune haunting someone. Some people do not know they harbour spirits that block financial prosperity. Before I sought spiritual help, I would lose consistently, even on simple games. After visiting the shrine, things started changing slowly. I am not saying I win every time, but the difference is clear. I now hit meaningful wins and feel more confident when placing bets.
“People laugh at us, but they don’t understand that life is spiritual. If something is blocking you, no amount of strategy will help. Spiritual assistance works, especially when you believe,” he said.
Another punter, who preferred to be called Jonah, dismissed the practice, arguing that betting is more about luck and psychology.
“I once visited a shrine hoping things would change, but nothing happened. For me, betting is just luck and mind-set. If you believe too much in external forces, you lose focus. I never won after visiting prophets, so I stopped going,” he said.
Yet another punter insisted spiritual help works, though it can be fragile.
“Yes, I have been spiritually assisted and it has worked well for me. But I realised that sometimes it fails, especially when I mix with others and share my betting details. That seems to weaken the results,” he said.
Mutare preacher, Pastor Davies English, condemned the practice, warning that betting is ungodly and that seeking spiritual shortcuts through prophets or traditional healers often comes with serious consequences.
“From a scriptural standpoint, people are called to work with their hands and earn an honest living.
“Betting promotes laziness because people want money without labour, and that is why many are now running to madzibabas for luck,” he said.
He added: “In the Kingdom of God, there is no such thing as free money. The Bible teaches principles of sowing and reaping, discipline and patience. Betting goes against all that because it is driven by greed and desperation. In the devil’s kingdom, there is also nothing for free. When the devil gives you something, he takes something in return—your peace, your health, your family or even your future.
“Yes, someone can win a bet. Someone can even dream of a scoreline. The spiritual realm exists, but it has two sides: the dark side and the light side. When power meets power, the lesser power must bow. If you engage the dark side, it will demand payment.
“The light side is based on the Word of God. God blesses honest work, not gambling.
“People must stop chasing shortcuts and return to hard work, prayer and integrity. That is the only path to lasting prosperity.”
