Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
The grief of Tsitsi Marume Manhango, the widow of a well-known church leader, has been overshadowed by allegations of targeted manipulation inside the congregation, according to multiple accounts gathered by this newspaper.
Archbishop Loveless Matarirano Manhango died in November 2024 at the age of 104 and left one of his sons Nyasha Manhango as the church leader.
The late Archbishop Manhango of the Bethsaida Apostolic Church died after an illness, leaving behind his wife, 52-year-old Tsitsi Manhango, who is now trying to rebuild her life amid continued mourning.
However, community members say the situation took a darker turn when a married church member allegedly began pursuing Tsitsi under the guise of “support” and spiritual guidance.
Sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claim the church elder reportedly increased his attention toward Tsitsi after the burial of Archbishop Manhango.
They say the elder visited her at times when fewer members were around, offered extended prayers privately, and allegedly implied – without openly proposing – that Tsitsi “should not remain alone” for long.
Several witnesses further claim the elder suggested that some of her children should be taken out of the Greystone Park house, a move Tsitsi’s sympathisers say was part of a wider attempt to control her circumstances.
Issues came to head when Tsitsi reportedly burst into anger at an accident scene along Mazowe Road on June 14 where church elders were said to be on their way to Guruve.
Tsitsi was the only one, who got injured fuelling speculation around spirituality.
Those behind Tsitsi said her outburst was not random, but a response to ongoing pressure and betrayal within the church community.
According to multiple congregants, the matter escalated into tension within the church as different factions formed.
Some members allegedly began accusing Tsitsi of “seeking attention,” while others defended her, arguing that widows deserved protection rather than pursuit – especially when a married man was involved.
Following mounting pressure, church authorities reportedly moved to address the concerns internally.
Bethsaida church secretary general, Enock Mandizadza, confirmed that the issue would be examined “with fairness and dignity,” saying allegations of predatory behaviour – especially toward vulnerable members – would be treated seriously.
“Our mother was involved in a road accident along Mazowe Road and all the vehicles belong to our church members. Yes, Amai was injured because she forgot to fasten her seat belt and has since received treatment. She was emotional that she shouted on top of her voice. Church leadership is solving the issues amicably,” Mandizodza said.
When contacted, the church elder denied suggestions that he was pursuing a romantic relationship, describing his actions as “helping a widow during a difficult period.”
“Tsitsi’s husband died nearly two years now and she is free to be married to anyone she loves. She has become a victim as some senior married church men have been approaching her several times to try and win her heart,” he said.
Tsitsi, speaking through a statement read by supporters, said she did not ask for attention and did not want to become a subject of division in the church.
She emphasized that grief should not be used as an opening for emotional exploitation disguised as kindness.
“Support is not the same as manipulation,” the statement said, calling on church leadership to protect widows and stop gossip-driven conflict.
