Zaoga pastor lies at wedding

By Arron Nyamayaro

A ZAOGA pastor conceded that he lied through his teeth in order to save a wedding from cancellation following the surprise appearance of the groom’s OTHER wife.

The incident occurred in Hatcliffe last Saturday where Pastor Cleopas Chimbwanda was officiating at Patience Walaza and Kenneby Thomas Mudavanhu’s wedding ceremony. He acted in complete negation of Christian values that forbid lying. The couple was attempting to stage a secret wedding without the annulment of Kenneby’s SECOND union to one Zvanyadza Huna.

Apparently the serial ‘family man’ had had another ‘marriage before he married the other woman, whom he was also about to pull a fast one by marrying his THIRD woman in one lifetime! Zvanyadza caught wind of the news and attended the wedding.

Interestingly it is the man’s parents who broke the news to the other woman. However, Kenneby quickly spotted her and instructed the pastor to LIE that he was done with the marriage vows already and it was time for celebrations. Zvanyadza walked up to the podium to contest but Pastor Chimbwanda instructed ushers to whisk her away before she derailed the proceedings.

When contacted for comment, Pastor Chimbwanda confirmed the incident. “I do not know how you will take it because it is TRUE that I ordered the ushers to take her (Zvanyadza) out, after two of Kenneby’s relatives informed me that they had since separated some years ago,” said the ‘good’ pastor. He negated the very fact that everybody, whether past, present or aspiring, is always given the chance to ‘speak now or forever hold’ their peace.

“It is true that I announced to the guests that the day was for the celebrations and not for exchange of vows fearing that Zvanyadza would disturb the proceedings after all the pre-wedding costs and tiresome preparations,” said the finance conscious pastor. Zvanyadza was BITTER about the whole wedding and said her main concern was to compel Kenneby to fend for his children and NOT necessarily to disturb proceedings.

She also blasted Pastor Chimbwanda for openly lying to the whole congregation. “Pastor Chimbwanda lied in front of the guests.” “He ordered ushers to whisk me away and threatened me saying that I would face arrest if I disturbed proceedings.” “What I just wanted was surety from Kenneby that he would take care of our children, because I can’t fend for them on my own”.

“He left me for South Africa where he secretly married that woman and his family is ignorant about this whole thing,” fumed Zvanyadza. The groom’s parents did not bless the sham wedding with their parental presence but that did not hold the ‘party’ back. “I hope God will bless the pastor and I want to buy him a cake to thank him for choosing to let my children suffer just to save this sham wedding,” said Zvanyadza sarcastically.

“How can a man of God lie before man and God to save cost of earthly things that pass by night?” she asked. Kenneby was unperturbed by the incident, he said:  “Who informed you about that story?”

“I am enjoying my marriage although some people had different views on my wedding. “Remember whenever you do something good there are always detractors,” he said.

However Pastor Chimbwanda defended himself arguing that he counselled Zvanyadza. “After I solemnised the two’s marriage and signed their marriage certificates, I summoned Zvanyadza and explained to her that I will ensure that Kenneby will take care of the children,” he said. Chimbwanda was called by the District Pastor Shaky Chitiyo Mukwena to officiate the marriage because his papers are being sorted out to be a marriage officer.

However guests who witnessed the pastor gagging Zvanyadza are reported to have immediately left the place in protest. PASTOR Chimbwanda confirmed this development. “Yes some of the guests were disturbed by that decision and I saw them leaving the church after my announcement.” “But as you know we had 21 days of announcing if anyone contested the marrying of the two and no one came forth, why come now,” he asked rhetorically.

Another interesting part is that Chimbwanda is based in Banket but was called to officiate at this wedding suggesting that they could have been a connivance with Kenneby as the scorned woman alleges. Kenneby’s father identified only as Chidhindi also ABSCONDED the wedding citing that he did NOT recognise it. 

He said: “Patience was married without our blessing and we decided not to attend the wedding. Kenneby has three kids with two different women before Patience and he is not supporting them. He came from South Africa and slept in my house for three days only before he joined Patience’s family for the wedding.”

“We were surprised to receive a wedding invitation card with a ‘wife’ that we do not know. “As we speak he is staying with his in-laws in Hatcliffe,” said Chidhindi.  And insider ‘trading’ and related information also came spewing out thanks to some ‘churchleaks’.

Patience is a member of the ZAOGA church too. Zvanyadza stood no chance in HELL! Patience is a secretary at ZAOGA assembly in Hatcliffe and Kenneby is based in South Africa. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Hatcliffe assembly organised the wedding for Kenneby without consulting his next of kin. H Metro