CHARISMATIC Malawian preacher Shepherd Bushiri has been sucked into Zanu PF’s succession wars in Zimbabwe after appearing on a video in which he tells State Security Minister Kembo Mohadi that he has a “promotion coming his way”.
Mohadi, a key functionary of the Lacoste faction in Zanu PF, has reportedly been promised the vice presidency by Emmerson Mnangagwa, who increasingly looks likely to succeed President Robert Mugabe after apparently dispatching the rival G40 faction.
Mnangagwa reportedly offered the other vice presidency to army chief General Constantine Chiwenga, as he builds an alliance for a post-Mugabe era.
Bushiri, who is based in South Africa, and refers to himself as a “Major Prophet”, stood Mohadi up in front of thousands of congregants before telling the Beitbridge East MP that an unnamed individual in Borrowdale, Harare, had consulted witch doctors in Chitungwiza to bring him harm.
“Nothing bad will happen to you. I’m seeing promotion coming your way; I’m seeing a crown on your head,” Bushiri tells Mohadi in the undated video which has gone viral online.
Mohadi, who according to Mugabe was considered for the vice presidency before losing out to Phelekezela Mphoko, nods approvingly and mumbles: “I receive, Man of God.”
Bushiri gave Mohadi a white handkerchief saying: “Anytime you see anything happening around you, use that handkerchief to pray.”
Mohadi, who is also told by the preacher that “when you leave here there will be a financial door… I’m seeing money coming to you,” reverently grasps the cloth, and bows.
On Monday, it emerged that a controversial Zanu PF activist and Mnangagwa loyalist Fidelis Fengu – through his Sibusiso Media and in collaboration with events company
Highshot Provisions – has organised a ‘Black Billionaire Breakfast Meeting’ in Harare for November 10 where Zimbabweans will pay US$250 to hear a motivational speech from Bushiri.
Mnangagwa is listed as the guest of honour at the event pencilled in for the Meikles Hotel in Harare, although we were unable to confirm last night if he would attend.
A publicity flyer for the event, seen by New Zimbabwe.com, says Bushiri has a telecoms company in South Africa, mines, universities, private jets, hotels, construction companies as well as consultancy firms in Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“Week in, week out, he has a congregation of over 100,000 which includes presidents, government ministers, billionaires and business people,” the error-strewn flyer says.
The advertised presence of Mnangagwa at the event, coming after Mohadi’s visit to Bushiri, will inject a factional flavour to the event, whose organiser, Fengu, has called on President Mugabe to “rest”.
“We need to openly discuss succession without restrictions or factionalisation of the issue,” Fengu said in April.
Mohadi took a hammering yesterday after the church video was posted on YouTube, with calls for his sacking. The minister, who appears to be wired to the supernatural, was in 2007 involved in an embarrassing episode when he, along with five other Cabinet colleagues, were duped by a “spirit medium” who claimed to extract refined diesel from rocks.
Mohadi and his Cabinet colleagues enthusiastically reported the incredible find to Mugabe, who was not sold the bizarre tale and ordered a second investigation which discovered that Rotina Mavhunga had installed diesel-filled containers on top of a hill and connected pipes which oozed the fuel at the foot of the hill where the ministers had ended their probe for fear of upsetting the spirits.
Reason Wafawarova, a columnist for The Herald newspaper, a Zanu PF mouthpiece, took to Facebook to express his shock at Mohadi’s bizarre appearance before Bushiri.
“The Malawian make-believe prophet by the name Shepherd Bushiri knows very well that there is no vaccine for stupidity,” he said.
“Calling Minister Mohadi stupid is an enormous insult to stupid people. The man is living proof that man can live without a brain. Whoever elected this man for parliament is an accomplice in the egregious crime of stupidity.”
UK-based Zimbabwean lawyer Alex Magaisa quipped: “To think this chap is State Security boss? Nonsense on high heels.”
Commenting on our story yesterday, reader Blarazonke said: “A State Security Minister who doesn’t believe in himself and needs a white handkerchief for his own protection! Mugabe should be ashamed of himself.”
-Newzimbabwe
