HARARE – Zimbabwe’s police have warned social media users against posting unverified information after Prophet Obey Mukanhairi claimed that gold deposits lie beneath Harare’s National Sports Stadium and Warren Hills Cemetery.
The prophet, also known as Mellontik Orasi, said the supposed gold fields were about 15 metres below ground and challenged geologists to disprove him. His claims drew a response from national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who said such posts could prompt people to act in ways that put lives at risk.
In a post shared with his more than 1.3 million Facebook followers, Mukanhairi wrote: “the National Sports Stadium sits on top of unidentified gold fields 15 m below the surface. Warren Hill Cemetery are all gold fields. “Geologists…prove me wrong.”
The stadium is Zimbabwe’s largest sports venue and a major gathering place for football supporters. Warren Hills Cemetery is a large public burial ground in Harare. Mukanhairi’s post named both sites, while giving a depth for the alleged deposits beneath the stadium and inviting geologists to challenge the claim.
Nyathi urged the public not to circulate information that had not been verified. He said police were concerned that such posts could influence people’s conduct and create danger around places named in widely shared messages.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to warn people posting unverified information on social media,” said Comm Nyathi.
“Such posts may incite people into reacting to the claims thereby endangering people’s lives.
“Let it be known that it is a criminal offence to post unverified information and anyone found doing that will be arrested.”
The warning comes at a sensitive time for the stadium, where crowd safety has been under scrutiny following a fatal incident during a football match in September. On September 28, a supporter died during a stampede at Gate 2 as Zimbabwe played the Democratic Republic of Congo in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Police said the incident involved a public-order vehicle and a pedestrian and occurred at about 6.30pm, shortly after the match began.
The Confederation of African Football subsequently ordered international fixtures at the venue to be played behind closed doors while security arrangements were reviewed. Zimbabwe’s football association later announced a conditional return for spectators, with attendance limited to 10,000 for two fixtures. The conditions included enhanced crowd management, access control, security deployment, medical services and emergency response, with a CAF safety and security officer tasked with monitoring arrangements.
The two approved matches were Zimbabwe’s women’s Olympic football qualifier against Malawi on October 13 and a Champions League fixture between Scottland FC and Atlético Petróleos de Luanda, provisionally scheduled for October 17. The limited approval followed the fatality and was subject to the venue meeting the required safety measures.
That recent history has placed public attention on how people move around the stadium and how large crowds are managed. Mukanhairi’s post did not describe a plan to enter or dig at the venue, but it named a heavily used public facility and a cemetery as places where, he claimed, valuable metal could be found. Nyathi’s warning focused on the possibility that unverified social media claims might spur people to act on them.
Mukanhairi also spoke about mining in a separate post, describing Zimbabwe as rich in minerals and saying its resources could sustain the country for generations. He thanked the government for allowing mining activities and wrote: “Zimbabwe shall work again.”
On the same day, he asked for prayers after saying his prophetic powers had told him there would be a mine accident in Kadoma. The statement was separate from his claims about Harare. It came as his posts drew renewed attention to mining and the potential consequences of messages that direct followers towards particular sites or events.
Mining accidents have caused deaths in Zimbabwe in recent years. In September 2023, a shaft collapsed at Bay Horse gold mine in Chegutu, trapping miners underground. Six people had died and 15 were reported trapped at the time, while others had escaped or been rescued. In 2019, flooding at disused mines near Kadoma trapped dozens of artisanal miners, with many killed.
A 2022 study of artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Zimbabwe recorded mine collapses and workers becoming trapped underground among the accidents associated with injuries. The research also identified risks linked to digging, blasting and underground transport.
Evangelist Chidziva urged Mukanhairi and other religious leaders to consult relevant authorities before posting claims about national issues. He said the stadium claim could create a security concern because it identified the venue as a place containing gold.
“His prophecy is a serious threat to the security of the National Sports Stadium considering the claims of the existence of the precious yellow metal.
“Mukanhairi and any other prophet must be schooled in how they communicate their so-called prophecies and show maturity.
“National issues must be addressed through the national leaders instead of seeking attention by posting on social media or sharing such information to please church members.
“Zvekuda kunzi akazviporofita izvo hazviratidze kukura muchiporofita asi hwanahudiki chose.
“Prophets must attend prophetic schools and learn how and when to communicate their messages.
“God is of order and not of disorder,” said Evangelist Chidziva.
Chidziva also criticised some local Bible colleges, accusing them of producing pastors and other religious leaders without adequate preparation. He said some were using religious messages to attract followers and make money.
“The Holy Bible teaches about the coming of false prophets in their numbers and they are being trained at various colleges for three to six months and some are now calling themselves prophets.
“The Five Fold ministry servants cannot be trained and finish the whole subjects, most of them are after feeding their pockets and a number of people have been caught unaware.
“Asi mapofu achisvinura zvawo.”
Mukanhairi’s latest post follows another high-profile prophecy earlier this year. In July, he warned that South African civic movement leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma faced an assassination attempt. The movement rejected the public warning and described it as irresponsible, saying a message identifying a person and detailing a supposed threat could have real-world consequences.
CAF’s permission for the stadium to host spectators remains conditional. ZIFA said the safety and security officer would assess how the measures were carried out, and that failure to meet CAF’s conditions could lead to further restrictions or the withdrawal of authorisation.