Court acquits man who “prophesied” Mujuru presidency
By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
Lloyd Matikiti, a 30 year old cleric who claimed that Joice Mujuru would rule Zimbabwe after President Robert Mugabe and got arrested for allegedly stealing a phone from a soldier, has been acquitted.
Mujuru was removed as President Robert Mugabe’s deputy and subsequently fired from the ruling Zanu PF for allegedly trying to topple her boss.
Clever Zindoga, a soldier based at One Air Defence in Redcliff, Kwekwe, dragged Matikiti to court, claiming he had taken part in the theft of his cellular phone and cash.
This followed hard on the heels of Matikiti’s prophecy.
Prior to his arrest, the “prophet” claimed that State security agents were after him.
He spent two months in prison for failing to raise $100 bail money.
A provincial magistrate, Ngoni Nduna, closed the case, arguing that there was no evidence to link Matikiti to the alleged crime.
After his acquittal, the cleric said he was being victimised for his “prophecy”.
“I knew there would be attacks. Every time God speaks there are people who want to kill the prophets thinking that this will stop the Word of God from being fulfilled,” he said.
“They can arrest me again on trumped-up charges, but I will continue to pray to my God who gave me that vision until Mujuru becomes President, that is God’s will and it will happen,” he added. Nehanda Radio
