HARARE — Zimbabwean police have renewed their pursuit of prominent preacher Apostle Batsirai Java, sending four officers to the offices of his Tabernacle of Grace Church in Harare on Wednesday in an operation reportedly directed by Chief Superintendent Gladman Chiparaushe.
The officers arrived at the church offices along Samora Machel Avenue in a Nissan Almera, registration number AGE 9486, and demanded to see Java. They told church officials that they had been sent by Chiparaushe, a senior officer linked to the police Law and Order section.
The operation took place despite reports that the treason allegation at the centre of the case has been removed. Police have not publicly explained why they are still searching for Java, which charges remain active or who authorised the latest operation.
Church officials said the four officers refused to identify themselves fully or provide their police force numbers when challenged. They also did not produce a search warrant or an arrest warrant.
The officials initially refused to open the gate. They later allowed the officers into the premises after the men insisted that they wanted to see Java. The officers left without meeting him.
The latest search has revived a case that has already raised questions about police operations, the handling of politically sensitive investigations and the growing tension between Zimbabwe’s ruling establishment and religious figures with links to rival political camps.
Java is the widower of the late Vimbai Tsvangirai-Java, the daughter of the late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Vimbai, who represented Glen View South in Parliament, died in 2019 after a road accident near Kwekwe.
Her marriage to Java connected the preacher to one of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable opposition families. His younger brother, Prophet Passion Java, has taken a very different political path and has publicly supported President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu PF establishment.
The police interest in Apostle Java began after a lengthy audio recording circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms. The recording contained politically sensitive claims involving businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Mnangagwa and the succession battle inside Zanu PF.
A statement linked to Tagwirei in the recording declares: “I am the next president.”
Java has denied being the person speaking in the recording. He said: “I am not the person in that audio, this is my voice, this is me speaking and I am not even in communication with the person who is at the end of that audio.”
Passion Java also distanced himself from the recording. In a video released from the United States, he said: “I distance myself 100% from all that is being said in the audios. I don’t know where it’s coming from or where it’s going. Of course Java is my blood brother. I’m not sure it is him, it’s AI-generated.”
He added: “Me and Apostle Java, remember, he is a great man of God, anointed, and nothing changes his calling from God. We are just different in our political positions. Remember, he was married to a Tsvangirai, and then I stand now with Mnangagwa.”
The original police case was reported to contain four allegations: treason, publishing falsehoods prejudicial to the State, bigotry and undermining the authority of the President.
The treason allegation was linked to claims that the audio encouraged the military to remove Mnangagwa from power. Java was reportedly sought for questioning after police raided his home and church premises while he was outside Zimbabwe.
The earlier operations included a search at his residence in Harare. Closed-circuit television footage reportedly showed officers entering the property while Java was away. Police headquarters later denied having a report showing that Java was under investigation.
That denial came from national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who said he had not received any report of an investigation involving the preacher.
The conflicting accounts have remained at the centre of the controversy. On one side, officers from the Law and Order section have continued to pursue Java. On the other, police headquarters has publicly denied knowledge of an investigation against him.
The handling of the case also appears to have changed hands. The investigation was previously handled by Chief Superintendent Edmore Runganga, who was later transferred to Bindura. The transfer was reportedly linked to questions he raised about the legitimacy of operations targeting Java.
Police sources have said Commissioner Chrispen Charumbira is overseeing the wider investigation, while Chiparaushe is directing the latest operation.
Chiparaushe is a senior officer who has served as Officer Commanding Mazowe District and previously held a similar position in Bindura. In Mashonaland Central, he has been involved in police partnerships with traditional leaders aimed at tackling violent crime, stock theft and farm robberies affecting tobacco farmers.
He has also taken part in efforts to launch and revive police service charters designed to improve relations between the police and the public. His reported involvement in the Java operation has therefore placed a senior district commander at the centre of a politically sensitive investigation.
The case has also been linked to rivalries involving prominent religious figures. Java’s disagreements with other preachers have previously attracted public attention, and claims have emerged that private religious interests influenced the decision to pursue him.
There have been allegations that another prominent religious figure supported efforts to have Java arrested. Claims have also circulated that US$30,000 was raised for the operation and that a senior police officer used personal vehicles and fuel coupons while pursuing the preacher.
A police source said disgruntled junior officers had leaked information about the operation because they believed senior officers were benefiting from it while leaving lower-ranking officers to carry out the work.
The claims have not been publicly addressed by police headquarters. No official explanation has been given for the reported transfer of Runganga, the earlier raids on Java’s home and church, or the latest visit to the Tabernacle of Grace offices.
The controversy comes at a time when the political importance of Tagwirei has increased sharply. In October, Mnangagwa appointed the businessman as Minister of Economic Development and Investment Promotion, creating a new Cabinet portfolio separate from the Finance Ministry.
Tagwirei had already become a prominent figure inside Zanu PF after being co-opted into the party’s Central Committee and later appointed to the Senate. His movement from business into senior government and party positions has intensified public discussion about succession politics and the influence of wealthy figures around the presidency.
The leaked audio surfaced against that background and referred to the future of the presidency, the position of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
The Bill has been the subject of a major political campaign. Its provisions have been linked to changes to the electoral system, the length of presidential and parliamentary terms and the way future leaders would be chosen.
In March, churches in Mudzi district were instructed to suspend Sunday services so that congregants could attend a Zanu PF political gathering at Kotwa High School. The instruction coincided with Palm Sunday and was contained in a letter addressed to local pastors.
The letter stated: “In light of this important meeting, you are kindly encouraged to suspend church service on that day to allow congregants to attend.”
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches responded strongly, saying: “The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) expresses its deep concern, strong displeasure and profound dismay at a communication issued in Mudzi District… encouraging churches to suspend worship services… to attend a political party meeting.”
The council described the instruction as “unacceptable and a direct affront to religious freedom”, particularly because it coincided with Palm Sunday.
That incident placed churches directly in the middle of the country’s political battle over the proposed constitutional changes. The renewed police search for Java has now brought a prominent church leader into the same political storm.
Java’s connection to the Tsvangirai family has added further sensitivity to the case. His late wife was part of the opposition leader’s family, while his brother has openly aligned himself with Mnangagwa. The leaked audio, which refers to powerful figures and a possible presidential succession, has therefore drawn attention far beyond the walls of the Tabernacle of Grace.
The latest police visit ended without Java being found or arrested. Officers left the Samora Machel Avenue offices after failing to meet him, but their renewed search has reopened questions about the current status of the investigation.
It remains unclear whether the allegations of publishing falsehoods, bigotry and undermining the authority of the President are still being pursued. Police have also not clarified why an operation continues after the treason allegation was reportedly removed.
For the church, the incident has created fresh anxiety among pastors, workers and congregants. For the police, it has placed the Law and Order section under renewed scrutiny. And for Java, the search has revived a case that began with a disputed audio recording but has since drawn in senior officers, political figures, rival preachers and a wider national argument over the limits of state power.