By Mugove Tafirenyika
The ministerial team tasked to rescue “abducted” Madzibaba Wimbo — real name Aaron Mhukuta — said it remains determined to fulfil its mandate, as instructed by President Robert Mugabe.
This comes amid claims that the prophet is happy staying at his shrine away from his family.
Last month, following a meeting with Wimbo’s family and church officials linked to the abduction, Mugabe dispatched a Cabinet committee, led by State Security minister Kembo Mohadi, to investigate the matter and facilitate the prophet’s return to his family.
Wimbo — who leads the Johane Masowe Vadzidzi Vajesu apostolic sect — was allegedly snatched by senior army officials allegedly pushing for Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidential ambitions in a bid to force a succession prophecy out of the frail 94-year-old prophet.
Mohadi yesterday told the Daily News that the committee was still making frantic efforts to ensure Wimbo is reunited with his family.
“We are still seized with the Wimbo issue and we are doing all we can to ensure that the matter is resolved as soon as possible as the president directed,” he said.
Questioned on whether there were any complications in taking the aged and mysterious leader — acclaimed by his followers for prophesying in 1957 that independent Zimbabwe would be ruled by a man with the name of an angel, Gabriel — back home, Mohadi said they weren’t.
“What complications could there be? We are seized with the matter… I am talking about fulfilling our mandate and we will let you know when we are finished,” he said.
Commenting on reports that Wimbo was content with staying away from his family, Abinashen Gomo, one of his sons told the Daily News yesterday that “that is not true”
“…the old man is scared of them and is not in full control of his mental faculties anymore. As it is we are still waiting to hear from the team that was sent by the president,” he said.
The team also includes Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and their provincial counterpart Martin Dinha.
With Mugabe having throughout his 36 year-old rule invested heavily in fishing for votes amongst the popular Apostolic Sects in Zimbabwe, Zanu PF bigwigs angling to succeed the 92-year-old leader seem to have borrowed from him — hence Mnangagwa allies’ alleged bid to control Wimbo and his church.
While there is no documented evidence to prove the enigmatic Wimbo’s prophecy, it remarkably came to pass when Mugabe — whose middle name is Gabriel — took power from the British in April 1980. Daily News
