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Bishop Ndanga

Solange Dengu Court Reporter
Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) president Bishop Johannes Ndanga yesterday said Madzibaba Ishmael Chokurongerwa Mufani was the one who incited public violence when he started singing the song “Umambo Hwepfumo Neropa”.

Mufani is being charged with public violence.

Bishop Ndanga said Mufani had visited their offices twice before the incident after they had summoned him to explain how they conducted their church practices.

“When he visited our offices for the second time, he was in the company of his friend Madzibaba Enock, although they do not attend the same church.

“They wanted me to understand how they carry out their church programmes,” said Bishop Ndanga.

Bishop Ndanga said when he visited the shrine on the day in question, he was in the company of 15 people from ACCZ and some police officers.

He said they had gone to summon him since he had denied coming to their offices when they sought to address issues pertaining to his church and children’s rights.

Bishop Ndanga said upon their arrival at the shrine, they found the congregants conducting their church service.

“I then approached one Gwenzi and asked him to call Mufani after explaining to him that we wanted to discuss issues concerning children’s rights.

“He said he would call him after prayer and at that time they were seated as they kept on singing,” said Bishop Ndanga.

He added, “Bishop Matsveru who was amongst us greeted congregants and introduced me to them.

“That is when I got the chance to address them.

“I addressed them in Shona for quite some time, explaining to them the purpose of our visit. I read a few things in English concerning rights of children for the journalists to understand.

“That is when Mufani indicated I should address them in Shona.”

Bishop Ndanga added that Inspector Mashiri who was the senior among police officers suggested I should leave since I had done what I had come for.

Mufani stood up and moved towards him.

“He asked me as to how the rights to freedom of worship were being observed considering our address on children’s rights,” Bishop Ndanga told the court.

“Mufani said we were denying them the freedom to worship. I indicated to him that freedom of worship does not interfere with children’s rights,” said Bishop Ndanga.