Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Zimeye
Published on 2024-03-28 16:57:06
The late University of Zimbabwe Professor Itai Muwati met a tragic end at the hands of Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa’s followers, according to his brother. The dispute stemmed from Madzibaba Ishmael’s decree that men should abandon their non-virgin wives in favor of virgins provided by him, a directive that Professor Muwati resisted.
In an interview on Tilder’s show on StarFM, Admire, the late professor’s brother, recounted the events leading to his brother’s untimely death. He claimed that Madzibaba Ishmael ordered his congregation to shun their existing wives, promising them replacements who were virgins. Any opposition to these orders was met with severe consequences, as evidenced by Professor Muwati’s fate.
Admire detailed how his brother was mercilessly attacked by Madzibaba Ishmael’s supporters after a village court session on the farm. He explained that Professor Muwati had expressed concern about the deaths within the church and had voiced his disagreement with the way worship was being conducted. This dissent led to a confrontation during which Madzibaba Ishmael allegedly declared that God had commanded Professor Muwati’s death, leading to a brutal beating that resulted in his demise.
The family now faces the daunting task of reclaiming the late professor’s assets, including 27 cattle and other properties, to support his six children left behind. Admire expressed the urgency of securing these resources to provide for the family’s immediate needs, highlighting the challenges they face in caring for the children and ensuring they continue their education.
The rift between Professor Muwati and Madzibaba Ishmael deepened when the latter instructed his followers to sell their possessions and sever ties with their families, Admire explained. Many men abandoned their jobs as instructed, but Professor Muwati remained dedicated to his work at the University of Zimbabwe despite the pressures exerted by the controversial religious leader.
Madzibaba Ishmael and seven of his followers were recently arrested and appeared in court facing charges related to violations of the Burial and Cremation Act and the Children’s Act. The group, members of the Johane Masowe-aligned Gore Jena Penyera Nyika, were accused of conducting funeral services without proper authorization and neglecting the children under their care.
Police intervention led to the rescue of 251 children from the sect’s compound, where alarming discrepancies in birth documentation were uncovered. Additionally, the discovery of 16 graves near Madzibaba Ishmael’s shrine raised questions about the circumstances of these burials, further complicating the legal issues surrounding the sect’s activities.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the tragic tale of Professor Itai Muwati serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the exploitation and manipulation within certain religious organizations. The pursuit of justice for the late professor and the vulnerable children impacted by these events remains paramount as the community seeks closure and accountability for these egregious actions.
Read the original article on The Zimbabwe Eye
