By Arron Nyamayaro
Madzibaba Strive Masango popularly known as ‘back to sender’ urged his detractors posting negative comments on social media to respect death.
He said this during an exclusive interview with Pathisani Sibanda on Star FM radio on Tuesday.
He summed up the ordeal of losing his three children in an accident with the words, “Zvakaoma mukoma Pathisani zvandakasangana nazvo.”
Social media is awash with stories that Madzibaba Masango sacrificed his children in rituals while others questioned why he failed to foresee the mishap since he is a prophet.
Madzibaba Masango set the record straight in the short interview with Phathisani.
“I was at a crusade in Kwekwe on a Friday. My wife was home and unbeknown to me she decided to go to our kids’ boarding school in Rusape to collect them,” said Madzibaba Masango.
“It was late when they drove to Rusape; maybe she was worried about Cyclone Idai because reports were saying it may affect those areas. She did not tell me. Our plan had been to go together on Saturday for visit.
“She says she left around 3pm for Rusape and it was on the return journey that they were involved in the accident.
“If I was aware that my wife had gone to visit the kids I could have prayed about the trip. In most cases I was the one who used to go and collect the kids.
“My wife says she failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of the vehicle leading into an accident that claimed all my three children and one of my mother’s young sister. She says instead of breaking on the curve, she mistakenly stepped onto the accelerator leading to the accident.
“When I got home my family was not there and I called my young brothers that were there and they told me my wife had gone to get the kids. I said it wasn’t a problem but when I tried her number and the numbers of the other people she had gone with, all the phones were not available.
“That is when I was told that my wife had been in an accident and I went to the scene in Marondera.”
He added that he discovered that his three children and his mother’s sister had died in the accident. His wife and another aunt (young sister to his mother) survived but are still in hospital.
“There was another pupil from my children’s school that they had given a ride and that pupil also survived.”
Madzibaba explained that he was not immune to misfortune and he is not the first or last man of God to suffer such.
“As for why the tragedy befell to a Prophet, I want to believe that death has no limits even traditional healers and prophets were among the people who perished in Chimanimani through Cyclone Idai.
“Even Biblical Job lost his children and wealth but he remained faithful so I will not stop worshiping my God so who am I not to be spared from such mishaps.
“Prophets do not foresee everything. None of the prophets in Zimbabwe even prophesied that Cyclone Idai was coming.
“I do not have much to say mukoma Pathisani, because ndiri pakati pekuchema. Dambudziko iri harijairirwe. People can say anything because they are not the ones in my situation. I do not blame myself for not prophesying this and zvagara zviri mutsanangudzo kuti vana vaisafanirwa kutorwa. But kana muyedzo wauya mwari vazvibvumidza unenge wauya.
“Job akawirwa nemuyedzo asi akatsungirira haana kuregedza kunamata kudzamara azopiwa vamwe vana, kudzamara azopiwa zvimwe.”
Asked whether he is still prayerful, he said he never stopped.
Mukoma Pathisani kunamata hatiregedze. Chero ndichichema ndaingonamata kuti mwari honai; kana kuri kuti ndimi mazviita then it is your will. If it’s Satan Dhiabhorosi, then help me cope.
“We never stop praying, vanhu vakutouya kumasowe.”
Madzibaba Masango also responded to the social media bullying that he was subjected to, especially claims that he sacrificed his children in rituals.
“I am not moved by what is being posted on social media, we are ever tempted and this will not stop me from praying.
“Dai ndaida kuchekeresa ndaiita izvozvo ndisina chandiinacho ndozotanga kusimuka kutenga makombi ndichienda kumberi but now, mari yacho ndinoidya nani? Makombi angu arikungoshanda apa handitika, uye ndine mamwe mabusiness andinoita asingazivikanwe
“Handingachekerese vana vangu kuti ndiite mari. Ndinenge ndichitoda kudya mari yacho nemhuri yangu. I even cancelled my trip to UK because my children died. I wanted to go to the UK for my children. Handingade kubata ropa mumaoko mangu for pfuma. What people are saying on social media, all I can say to them is mwari ndiye anoziva.
“I was also content with what I had, I never wanted more (to sacrifice my children for).
“I do not have much to say as for now, I lost my children and my wife and another relative are still admitted in a hospital.
“Kuchekeresa handingachekerese because pfuma yangu ndagara ndinayo.
“Zvandingangoudza ruzhinji kusanganisira varikukanda pfungwa dzavo pasocial media ndezvekuti rufu murawo waMwari harutizwe, harujaiirirwe rwunongowira parunoda zvisinei kuti kuti urimuporofita kana kuti unoshopera.
“I want to believe that those posting negative comments are not Christians because it could have been common knowledge to them that even Christ Jesus died so as his friend Lazarus he once raised from the dead.
“To my followers I would like to let them know that God has strengthened me, has taught me lessons and I will remain faithful and do what I was called to do while it is day,” said Madzibaba Masango.
He has since started conducting prayers at his shrine. H-Metro