Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
INSPIRED perhaps by Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa and his recent million- dollar public challenge to prophets, traditional healers, and anyone claiming spiritual powers for a successful demonstration of their abilities, Insiza villagers in Matabeleland South Province took matters into their own hands, when they severely beat a self-proclaimed prophet whom they caught using a rubber snake to fake a witchcraft cleansing ritual.
Prophet Makandiwa, the leader of the United Family International Church (UFIC), rocked Zimbabwe’s religious circles last Sunday when he proposed a simple test: he would place an object in his pocket, and anyone who could accurately identify the object would receive a staggering $1 million cash prize.
This challenge was widely interpreted as an attempt to expose those he considers to be who exploit vulnerable people through fraudulent claims of supernatural abilities.
Following a challenge reminiscent of Prophet Makandiwa, villagers in Montrose 4A assaulted Madzibaba Abel, a self-proclaimed prophet reportedly operating from the Nkankezi area, for allegedly attempting to stage a dramatic exorcism by surreptitiously planting a rubber snake at a villager’s homestead.
The villagers, convinced of his fraudulent claims, erupted in a frenzy, subjecting Madzibaba Abel to a thorough beating.
According to details related to B-Metro regarding the dramatic incident on Tuesday, in Montrose 4A Village under Ward 19 of Insiza District, Madzibaba Abel arrived at a villager’s homestead to conduct a healing session for her ailing son.
He was reportedly carrying a black satchel strapped to his back. It is reported that as he entered his would-be client’s yard, he removed a black plastic bag containing the rubber snake from the satchel and threw it into the yard.
However, two nearby boys spotted him throwing the plastic bag and informed other villagers, who came and discovered that it contained a rubber snake.
“He was seen by two boys herding cattle nearby, taking the bag from his back.
He then took out a plastic bag and threw it into the yard. The boys knew something was wrong and went to tell the elders who were nearby.
“The elders called other villagers, and they went to see what was in the plastic bag that had been thrown into the yard. And there it was, a rubber snake. The prophet thought he could fool his client, but he was caught,” said a source from the area who requested anonymity.
At first, they reportedly believed it was a live snake, but upon closer inspection it was discovered to be a rubber snake.
They later confronted Madzibaba Abel, who was in the kitchen conducting the healing session, asking why he had brought the rubber snake.
After failing to provide a satisfactory answer, they beat him until he confessed that he intended to claim to his client that it was a live snake sent by witches, and that the snake was the cause of her daughter’s illness.
Madzibaba Abel, who sustained injuries all over his body, reportedly deserted his shrine. His whereabouts are unknown, and he apparently did not report the incident to the police, likely out of fear of being exposed for his fraudulent deeds.
Meanwhile, late last month, a self-styled prophet and his female accomplice were arrested in Kwekwe for public nuisance after allegedly staging a fake witchcraft incident to boost the prophet’s popularity.
Brighton Muroyi (alias Madzibaba Heavynisher), a 19-year-old self-proclaimed prophet of an apostolic faith sect, and 45-year-old Revai Kweza of Mkoba 18, Gweru, were arrested on 17 February 2025.
According to police reports, Kweza was found around 8 am on February 17, seated inside a locked and gated house in Mbizo 3, Kwekwe, near a Johane Masowe eChishanu Apostolic Faith Sect shrine. She was dressed in a black skin-tight outfit, a black bra, and a black headscarf. The sighting sparked widespread curiosity, leading to a large crowd gathering at the scene.
Authorities from ZRP Mbizo responded to the situation, and upon questioning, Kweza implicated Muroyi, revealing that the incident had been staged to enhance his reputation as a powerful prophet. Investigations uncovered WhatsApp messages between the two suspects, detailing their plans and the agreed payment for Kweza’s role in the act.
