Chronicle (Zimbabwe)

Prophet makes woman eat live chicken

- Blessings Chidakwa

IN yet another bizarre religious occurrence, a self-proclaimed Gweru-based prophet ordered one of his congregant­s to eat a live chicken as part of a “deliveranc­e” ceremony.

Members of the apostolic sect filmed the act in a video available on The Chronicle website www.chronicle.co.zw during a recent church service at the shrine opposite Mkoba Teachers’ College.

A congregant yesterday alleged the leader of the sect Madzibaba ‘Beswage,’ born Micky Mahove from Mkoba 1, said eating the chicken proved that believers can eat anything without ill effects.

Madzibaba Beswage, who now commands a huge following in the city due to his “miracles” allegedly said eating the live chicken was an act of faith that would heal the congregant.

He confirmed the incident but was not clear on whether the woman devoured the chicken on his instructio­ns.

He said the weird act occurred during a church service when he prophesied to the woman (name withheld) that she was possessed with an evil spirit which has been devouring her children.

“I prophesied to the woman that she was a witch as she had devoured her two children, allegation­s which she was denying. This is when I ordered the spirit to manifest in her. At once she went into an trance, took a live chicken which was at the shrine and started eating it,” said Madzibaba Beswage.

He said the woman returned to normalcy after taking a leap of faith and getting prayers. Contacted for a comment, the woman said she has a hazy recollecti­on of what transpired.

“I went to Madzibaba Beswage’s shrine where l wanted to get cleansed of some troubling spirits. Madzibaba prophesied that I had an evil spirit which makes me eat my children.

“While I was trying to argue with him, I fell into a trance for almost 30 minutes. I didn’t know what I was doing. All I know is that I recovered to see blood stains on my body. My friends told me that I ate a quarter of live chicken while in a trance,” said the woman.

Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial secretary for finance Cde Killer Zivhu said:

“We have lost a mother. She was a national patron for cross border traders and would encourage youth in whatever they would do in order to develop the country. Her death has landed us a devastatin­g blow. We have lost immensely as a province. She was always there for us as Masvingo province. This is not something we would easily recover from as we are still in shock following her death,’’ Cde Zivhu said.

Bulawayo Metropolit­an Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Nomthandaz­o Eunice Moyo described Minister Mahofa’s death as unfortunat­e. “She was an old cadre of Zanu-PF and we worked together since the Unity Accord. She was a wonderful person and she was not scared of anything. Zimbabwe has lost one of the most hard working and loyal citizens who fought tenaciousl­y for the country’s best interests. Farewell Cde Mahofa,’’ Cde Moyo said.

Minister of State for Mashonalan­d Central Provincial Affairs Advocate Martin Dinha described Cde Mahofa as a very powerful and kind person who worked well with the First Lady and the Women’s League

Mourners are gathered at Minister Mahofa’s home in Rhodene, opposite Masvingo Agricultur­al Show Ground. Details about the funeral arrangemen­ts are yet to be announced. Additional reporting by Farirai Machivenyi­ka and

Thupeyo Muleya

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