By Staff Reporter
BIKITA – One of the many Zion Apostolic Churches leaders Felix Peresu Masuka (50) who was leading the ZAC 1923 Church headquartered in Chikuku area, Bikita is no more.
The Bishop succumbed to injuries sustained in a road traffic accident on Wednesday (May 8, 2024) along the Masvingo-Mutare Road.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and warned drivers against speeding.
“I can confirm the accident which happened at the 165km peg along Mutare-Masvingo Highway. We urge motorists to avoid speeding and to be attentive whilst driving,” said Dhewa.
Bishop Masuka is said to have been pronounced dead upon arrival at Masvingo Provincial Hospital where he was referred to after the accident.
Felix took over the reins of the church following the death of his father David Masuka in 2015 but his ascension to power led to continuous clashes with his brothers mainly Jacob who felt that he was not the heir to the church throne.
Felix, who was generally referred to as Mambo Fere by his congregants wrestled for the church leadership with his young brother Jacob who had support from their mother. However, by being the eldest, he had support from the church’s high priests.
Sensing defeat, Jacob led a breakaway church which was not successful as it attracted fewer followers and some ended up reverting to Felix.
He however continued to have clashes with his brothers, who kept fighting him and since 2016 he recorded several assaults from unknown people who were believed to have been sent by his rivals.
In 2016 just after taking over, Jacob’s wife is said to have lied in the road when Felix was driving home from Chikuku Business Centre and when he stopped to check, a group of youths came out and pelted the vehicle with stones damaging the windscreen.
In 2023, Felix was allegedly kidnapped near Chikuku Business Centre and was taken to a certain homestead where he was stripped naked and pictures of him naked were taken and circulated on social media.
The alleged abductors are said to have claimed that they had found him with a married woman in a compromising position. The church leadership went on to convene a press conference to deny the allegations and set the record straight.
