Moses Ziyambi

Makonde Primary School in Gutu district is reeling under suspicions that a teacher at the school has initiated some pupils into Satanism after the pupils began to act strangely following their participation in prayer sessions led by the teacher.

The Grade 7 teacher, who has been identified as Henry Shumba, is said to be in the habit of taking his pupils to his house for prayer sessions during lesson time.

Although the school’s head, Eria Makumbinde refused to comment, some parents said they suspect the sessions, known as ‘Deliverance’, are being used to initiate pupils into the dark underworld.

Ward 28 Councillor, Johnson Nhema, said he had taken the issue to the District Education Officer (DEO) after receiving complaints from parents who say their children were becoming delusional. 

“Parents are angry that their children could be exposed to satanic rituals disguised as prayer meetings. Up to five parents have complained that their children have suddenly fallen sick while others have visions of weird things and snakes,” said Nhema.

Parents said Shumba works with a ‘dodgy’ local prophet to whom he directs the traumatised children for ‘deliverance’, telling their parents that their children cannot be helped anywhere else.  

A mother to one of the victims (name withheld), said she believes Shumba is pursuing a sinister agenda while pretending to be a man of God.

“My daughter has not been well after she got involved in Shumba’s so-called deliverance meetings. She sometimes loses sight when she goes to school and she acts strangely. There are several other parents whose children are facing a similar problem.

“One day I took my daughter to one of the sessions to see what happens there only to be shocked when another seemingly possessed pupil started to say strange things to the extent that my daughter was being bewitched. 

“I want to know who gave the teacher a right to induct our children into the spiritual realm without our consent,” said Gusha.

Gutu DEO, Sonnie Christian Chirikure said he had reprimanded Shumba about involving children into things that are outside his job description.

“He assured me he had stopped. Teachers must not go beyond the normal teaching duties that are expected of them. They must not get pupils into issues of spirituality beyond the classroom.

“We however find it problematic to deal with such cases because they do not breach the Ministry’s code of conduct. We have therefore recommended that the case be taken up by the traditional leadership,” said Chirikure.

Shumba is expected to appear at Chief Makore’s court next week.news

Kennedy Murwira

Incumbent Chief Gutu, Amon Edmond Masanganise, has called for the establishment of a paramount chieftaincy in the district saying some chiefs in the area no longer held any respect for the Paramount Chief.

Briefing President Robert Mugabe last week, Masanganise said the establishment of the paramount chieftaincy would go a long way in solidifying and consolidating the unity of the Gutu Chieftainship.

“It is unfortunate that some chiefs who incidentally happen to have benefitted from the benevolence of the first Chief Gutu, Mabwazhe, are now making unfounded boundary claims. This has unnecessarily compounded and created problems stifling an expeditious implementation of the programme of coronation  traditional leaders in some areas. It is unfortunate that these chiefs now purport to be equal to Chief Gutu’s jurisdiction,” Masanganise said.

Masanganise thanked President Mugabe for assisting in the resuscitation of the Nesongano, Chisvino and Zinyemba headmanships. He added that the upgrading of the Mazuru headmanship to chieftainship happened expeditiously, demonstrating the high efficiency of the President’s Office.

Masanganise said he was now looking forward to the resuscitation of the Chagwiza, Musarurwa, Makuvaza, Marongere, Bakuri, Maworera and Shumba headmanships. He added that the Nemashakwe, Mukaro and Mutema headmanships were long overdue for upgrading to chieftainships.

“However, I wish to express my displeasure on the involvement of the courts in traditional matters. An example in place is the Mataruse headmanship in which the High Court nullified our recommendation and findings of the truth that had transpired. Regrettably the office of the District Administrator is at times found involved in collaborating with some surrogate subordinates who may be showing disrespect for Chief Gutu,” he said.

This was said in apparent reference to the Gadzingo Headmanship which Chief Gutu abolished and he was resuscitating the Makuvaza headmanship. Clemence Munyonga was elected at a meeting of elders held at Mupako Diptank to be the next Headman Makuvaza.news

Tanyaradzwa Tizora

Over 40 villagers in Musavengana village near Nyika growth point are crying foul after recent moves by Bikita Rural District Council to forcibly remove them without compensation against an agreement they entered into with the council when their land was shortlisted for the expansion of the growth point. 

Nevison Matambura, who represents the affected villagers said council promised to relocate them to a nearby farm with enough space for them and their livestock but they are now being asked to pay US$6 800 for them to be given new stands.

“Council was allocated land at a nearby farm by our chief where we were supposed to be relocated but they took it and pegged the land to sell it to outsiders coming from places like Zvishavane. They now require US$2 800 upfront for us to just see the stands.

When we approached them, they said they required those who had settled in the area before 1986 to pay $6 800 for them to get two stands. For those who settled after 1986, they have to pay the same amount to get one stand and these are not enough for us and our livestock,” Matambura said.

He accused council of reneging on its pledge to give adequate compensation for any of their land that the council wants to incorporate into its Nyika commonage.

“If they can’t do that, they must give each one of us two stands for free and if we are to pay, we pay for a third one going forward,” he said.

Asked for a comment, Bikita RDC Chief Executive Officer Peter Chibi said that all the affected villagers who were legally settled at Musavengana were going to receive their compensation as agreed.

“The villagers are misrepresenting the facts on this issue. As council, we are going to compensate only those who are legally settled in the area,” said Chibi, without elaborating how they will determine legality since people in communal areas have neither title deeds nor offer letters.

Villagers should engage organisations such as ZLHR to ensure that their rights are not trampled upon.news

Brighton Chiseva

A Zaka man, with an insatiable appetite for sex but with very little or no charming skills at all, in his depravity decided to use juju known as mubobobo to have sexual intercourse with both girls and married women in the village.

Vuramai Tsikirai, from Chinouriri village under Chief Ndanga, has shocked people in his area with his alleged new method of using ‘handkerchief juju’ to lure women into having sex with him.

The latest method, which no longer involves his other mubobobo way of entrancing women by a handshake, is said to be more advanced with Tsikirai simply pointing at selected women using a handkerchief.

Previously, he would shake hands with those he intended to victimise, throwing them into a trance which would make them follow him begging for sex.

The handkerchief method was once employed in one of the late Safirio ‘Mukadota’ Madzikatire’s comedies series but Tsikirai employed it in real life.

Last time, Tsikirai was brought to Chief Ndanga’s court and was ‘cleansed’ by a team of traditional healers from Zinatha after several women came forward claiming to have been enticed by him.

Sources, however, say the ruffian has devised new methods of luring his victims after noticing that women were no longer eager to shake hands with him.

The new technique involves simply wiping his face with a muti handkerchief and pointing it at any female person he wants to sleep with.

This would almost immediately make the victims follow him and beg for sex.

Chief Ndanga, Reuben Chimedza, said he was aware of the latest acts of mischief by Tsikirai and had since summoned him to his court for a hearing.

“I have received those reports and have since called him to court. He once appeared before my court but the issue was presided over by my elders,” said Chief Ndanga.

In the previous cases, Tsikirai is said to have admitted to using juju to sleep with the numerous women and girls who came forward to report.

TellZim News has also been informed that other women did not bother to report him but are said to have confirmed that they had been abused by him.news

Moses Ziyambi

In a life-stranger-than-fiction incident, a crass Chiredzi man recently killed his father’s dog and sold its flesh to unsuspecting customers after deceptively convincing them it was game meat, TellZim News can reveal.

Noel Kujongonya, of Scot Block B in Mkwasine, is said to have approached revellers who were sitting over a braai at a popular joint with a load of the canine flesh.

“He lied to everybody that he had gone on a hunt and killed game.  He sounded so convincing that we stampeded to buy the meat and went on to ‘braai’ it. It was very tasty but I am now disgusted knowing I ate dog meat.

“Noel leads a reckless life and many people know him for being an irresponsible man but we all fell for his insensitive tricks that day. We thought he was genuine,” said a man who is related to Kujongonya.

Other people who spoke to this publication said Kujongonya’s father woke up one day to realise his dog was nowhere to be found.

After a few days he found the missing dog’s head and a bloodied knife in the garden and when he went out investigating, was told that his son had been seen at the shops selling what he said was game meat.

“When we confronted him, he didn’t even deny that he had duped people into buying dog meat. He said he had to do it because he was broke and needed some money.

“We took him to the police but he was released after they could not find an appropriate charge to lay against him. They said he had not broken any law,” said the relative.

In 2009, a man allegedly sold donkey meat to unsuspecting customers in Gweru while in 2013, villagers in Tsholotsho and Plumtree accused Chinese nationals of stealing village dogs for meat.news

Tanyaradzwa Tizora

Harvest House International Church held a successful conference at Mucheke Stadium from May, 6 to 8 2016 under the theme ‘Manifesting the Glory’.

The conference attracted multitudes of people who flocked to the stadium to hear the word of God. 

Bishop Colin Nyathi, who is the founder of Harvest House churches, his wife Senior Reverend Dr Sarah Nyathi and Reverend Elias Ndeda from Eagles Church in South Africa graced the occasion.  

A graduation for those who had completed their Biblical and pastoral studies was also held during the conference with new pastors, elders and ministers being ordained.

The conference was also graced by one of Zimbabwe’s finest gospel artists, Takesure Zamar Ncube who staged an electrifying concert at the Harvest House International church site in the industrial area.

Upon his performance Takesure said that he was happy to experience the Holy Spirit with his fans in Masvingo.

“I always pray to God that where the Holy Spirit is absent, I don’t perform. I would rather have no concert than perform where I feel there is no Holy Spirit so I am glad God has allowed me to be here,” said Zamar.

Speaking to TellZim News Takesure said he appreciated the love which he was shown by his Masvingo fans.

“The Masvingo concert was great. The people showed love and were very supportive. I enjoyed the experience to the fullest,” added Takesure.news

Patricia Makubaro

The Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa Forward in Faith Ministries (ZAOGA) will be celebrating its 56th Anniversary on the May 13 2016.

The church was founded on May 13 1960 under a gum tree in Bindura by Apostle Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti.

Beginning under those very humble circumstances, the church has grown into perhaps the only local church with a sizeable international reach. 

The church has grown an impressive footprint in over 100 countries of the world through its Forward in Faith (FIF) arm. 

Apostle Guti, now at the prime age of 93, came to know about God through a testimony by his mother Dorcas.

The testimony concerned the judgment to come, forcing the young apostle to go into the bush to seek the presence of God.

ZAOGA Masvingo city District Pastor, Wilson Fani said while in the bush fasting and praying, God revealed himself, telling Apostle Guti four simple words: fear not, sin not. 

“The four words have hugely informed the church’s doctrine, acting as a guide to call upon believers to have faith in God while aiming to please him.

“ZAOGA is the first indigenous church to have a broadcasting channel, a hospital and a university without the help of foreign donors but fully supporting its projects through the efforts of its members.

“Apostle Guti’s wife, Eunor Guti – an accomplished apostle in her own right – is the brains behind ‘Today’s Woman’, an interdenominational gathering of women where lessons on marriage, health and education are taught.

“This year’s celebrations have been decentralised with every district carrying out its own celebrations. The celebrations will stretch from 12-15 May 2016 and we will also be belatedly celebrating Apostle Guti’s birthday’s 93rd birthday which was on 5 May 2016,” said Fani.

Pastor Fani added that they will be celebrating the journey travelled by the apostle over the years preaching the true gospel of deliverance.

“As we celebrate these 56 years and the birthday of our founder, we would like to ask God to keep blessing the Apostle and give him a longer life and strength to lead the church. We as the ZAOGA family, we are like a home to everyone.

“We will be praying for peace in the country and for everyone to keep worshipping the Lord. We are lifting up the standards.

“All Masvingo city district pastors, elders and deacons wish ZAOGA and the Servant and Apostle Guti a happy birthday and a happy anniversary,” said Fani. 

Meanwhile, Overseer Andrew Masocha of the church’s Zvishavane province said he felt many souls are going to be saved in the world through the evangelical work of FIF ministries.

“We feel no man can do this without God’s hand. Happy Anniversary to us as we continue to see God revealing himself through the Servant and the Apostle Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti,” said Masocha. news