Zimbabwean Pastor Arrested For Prophesying Mugabe’s Death
A prominent pastor in Zimbabwe, Patrick Mugadza, was
arrested on Monday after prophesying that President Robert Mugabe, 92, will die
on October 17, 2017, police and the pastor’s lawyer said.
Mugadza, from the Remnant Pentecostal Church based in the
northern town of Kariba, had become famous by holding a one-man demonstration
in 2015 against Mugabe, whom he accused of being incompetent.
The Southern African country has seen growing protests
against its leader of 37 years, whom critics accuse of ruining the economy, but
who nevertheless intends to seek re-election in 2018, when he will be 94 years
old.
Mugadza said in December that Mugabe would die on October 17
and urged him to pray hard if he wanted to avoid that fate.
Mugadza was arrested in Harare on charges of undermining the
authority of the president, but the charge was then changed to criminal
nuisance, his lawyer Gift Mtisi said.
Police spokesperson Charity Charamba confirmed the arrest.
Mugadza is not admitting to the charge against him, “as he is
arguing that what he said was given to him by God during a prayer’’, Mtisi
said.
Local Government Minister Savior Kasukuwere said the
authorities would clamp down on priests raisng alarm.
“These prophets
are becoming reckless and careless, they need to be put on a leash,’’ he said.
Last year, another pastor, Evan Mawarire, launched a protest
movement against Mugabe on social media.
Mugadza’s arrest came as the ruling party prepares to throw
a huge party to celebrate Mugabe’s 93rd birthday on Feb. 21.
The pastor is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
(dpa/NAN)
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