MBARE-based leaders of Johanne Masowe Echishanu are involved in a holy war over congregants and a shrine.
The fight, over the ownership of a shrine and church members, has seen one of the leaders’ relatives being kidnapped by people, in a vehicle without number plates.
The relative was allegedly beaten up before being dumped in a bush and the matter has since been reported at Waterfalls Police Station, under RRB 5198223.
Panganai Katsande, popularly known as Madzibaba Katsande, who commands his church services at a shrine in Mbare, is accusing Noah Madenyika, popularly known as Madzibaba Cryradge.
According to sources, Madzibaba Cryradge is bitter that his rival’s membership has shot up in three weeks’ time.
Sources said the fight has been tense, with the two leaders fighting over members.
In an interview, Madzibaba Katsande confirmed the fracas.
“I conduct my church service near a cemetery in Mbare and Madzibaba Cryradge has been threatening to kill me since I have a big number of followers than him.
“I managed to pull more followers, within a period of three weeks, than him.
“He came with a knife where he cut the cloth at my shrine.
“He also insulted me and threatened to kill me claiming I was stealing his congregants.
“This Madzibaba also kidnapped my uncle and told him that if we continue using the same shrine, he would kill us.
“I thought it was a joke and we ignored him.
“Later on, I saw a Toyota Wish vehicle coming to the shrine three times, before kidnapping my uncle.
“He was bashed and forced to reveal where I stay before being dumped in a bushy area.
“We then filed a police report and I am no longer feeling safe since his threats seem to be serious.”
A congregant, who preferred anonymity, said Madzibaba Katsande riled his rivals after setting up the shrine at a strategic place.
“He is saying Madzibaba Katsande positioned himself at the roadside, prompting all the congregants to go to his church.
“Asi kana kuri kunamata kungada kuti dayi mumwe munhu awurawa here?
“Maybe, there is something they were getting from people, which is not about worshiping, that’s why he is fighting him,” said the source.
Madzibaba Cyraradge said he did not want to talk about the issue.
“I don’t know anything about that.
“Yes, I confirm that I went to his shrine since he is my brother and I asked him how he had managed to have all those people in three weeks.
“I wanted to see how he was doing it, I just passed through and got what I wanted,” he said.
— HMetro
