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Madzibaba Chacha

Herald Reporter
A Harare apostolic sect member who wore a police uniform and posted the picture on social network in an attempt to make fun of an incident in which members of a sect in Budiriro suburb assaulted police, journalists and officials last week, has been arrested. Police said the man, identified as Madzibaba Chacha – a tailor in Westlea – was arrested when his picture went viral on the social network.
The uniform had been left by a police officer for him to effect some alterations.

After he wore the uniform, Madzibaba Chacha allowed several people to take pictures of him with their mobile phones.
The pictures were then uploaded on various social media under different headings.

On Facebook, the picture was headlined “If you can beat them, join them too”, while another picture on the same social network claimed that the man was Ishmael Mufani, leader of the Budiriro sect who is on the run and put a bounty of US$3 000 on his head.

Madzibaba Chacha was yesterday still being questioned by the police and it was not clear whether he was going to be charged or not.
Last Friday, seven police officers in riot gear, journalists and members of the ACCZ were seriously injured when the Johanne Masowe eChishanu apostolic sect members attacked them with shepherd’s staff, sticks and stones.

This was after ACCZ president Archbishop Johannes Ndanga announced that the sect had been banned from operating in Zimbabwe because it violated national and Christian laws.

Madzibaba Ishmael is believed to be hiding at one of his shrines in and around the city.
There are allegations of widespread abuse of women in the sect, with children barred from attending conventional schools.

Meanwhile, our Senior Court Reporter Tendai Rupapa reports that at least 30 members of the Johanne Masowe eChishanu Apostolic sect accused of assaulting police, journalists and Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe officials in Budiriro last week have so far been arrested.

Two of the accused, Prayer Parira (22) and Gilbert Madyira (38), appeared before magistrate Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe yesterday, while the remainder appeared during the course of the week.
Mr Chikwekwe remanded the two in custody to June 16 after the State led by Mr Gift Zumbika opposed bail.

Mr Zumbika said that Moyo was not a suitable candidate for bail considering that his other accomplices including their leader Madzibaba Ishmael Mufani were still at large.

Mr Zumbika alleged that at around 11am on May 30, ACCZ president Bishop Johannes Ndanga, his delegation and 26 police officers went to Mufani’s sect to address the gathering over matters related to denying children education and other alleged malpractices.

Bishop Ndanga, the court heard, delivered his address while the gathering sang and challenged him to speak in Shona, arguing they were not conversant with English.
Bishop Ndanga then told the police to arrest a congregant who was constantly heckling him.

In protest, other congregants started singing a song called: “Umambo Hwepfumo Neropa,” a tune that incited the trio and their accomplices to assault the delegation using shepherd’ staffs and stones.

Nine police officers and two journalists – Relax Mafurutu and Tichaona Meza – sustained head injuries and bruises all over their bodies.
ACCZ member Langton Muchena also sustained serious injuries.

Apart from the assaults, the apostolic sect members allegedly damaged property, including a Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation outside broadcasting van.
The damaged property was valued at US$1 350.