LITTLE-KNOWN self-styled Midlands prophet, Lloyd Matikiti, of The Church of God, claims his life is in danger, following visits by State security agents after he, last month, “prophesied” that former Vice-President Joice Mujuru would succeed President Robert Mugabe.
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
Matikiti, in a sworn affidavit lodged at Kwekwe Central Police Station, claimed he had been summoned by Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives over his prophecy and was threatened with “disappearance the Itai Dzamara-way” if he continued churning out “prophecies” about the presidency.
Kwekwe Central officer-in-charge, Chief Inspector Atanus Murada said he was aware of Matikiti’s matter.
“I am aware of the history of the matter involving the prophet. He even had a meeting with our Dispol [Officer Commanding Kwekwe District, Fiona Thomolani] to discuss issues about his prophecy,” he said.
Said Matikiti in his report to police: “I was threatened by CIO operatives here in Kwekwe on Wednesday November 25, for announcing a prophecy concerning the succession issue and that the Lord also revealed to us that we are going to suffer a drought this year if people do not accept the will of God.”
Matikiti, who runs a Pentecostal church at Globe and Phoenix Primary School, claimed he was now living in fear, but insisted he would rather die than recant the “word of God”.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“I was threatened with death or disappearance if I don’t leave Kwekwe within a week,” he claimed.
“The CIO operatives I spoke to said they would be monitoring my movements and all my calls to check my political involvement. They told me that Zimbabwe (independence) was brought by blood and not prophetic pronouncements.”
Dzamara, a human rights activist, has been missing for almost nine months after he was allegedly abducted by State agents in Harare early this year and efforts to locate him have so far drawn blanks.
Matikiti told NewsDay that regardless of the threats, “the word of God” would come to pass and Mujuru, who is reportedly fronting the People First project, will be Zimbabwe’s next president.
MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, according to the “prophecy”, will deputise Mujuru in a coalition government, which the “prophet” said would usher in a new political order in Zimbabwe.
Delivering his initial prophecy at a church service, Matikiti urged his followers and the nation not to pay much attention to First Lady Grace Mugabe and Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who are touted as front runners in the race to succeed Mugabe.
Matikiti said Grace and Mnangagwa were not in “God’s plans for the presidency of Zimbabwe”.
“They [Grace and Mnangagwa] are just whiling away time because when the time comes, God will appoint a leader who will free Zimbabwe from these economic problems and this will be the Mujuru administration,” he said.
Matikiti has also issued a statement exhorting Mujuru and Tsvangirai to continue fighting for political space and circulated a DVD with the controversial prophecy.
“It was long announced to me by the spirit of God, before the so-called factionalism hit Zanu PF, which led to the ouster of Mujuru and her companions that such will befall her, but she will bounce back.
“It was highlighted to me that people will deny a woman president, although, despite all these challenges, she will eventually rule.
“Mujuru will, therefore, and must ascend to the throne of Zimbabwean leadership because God appointed her a long time ago,” part of the statement signed off by the prophet reads.
