Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa has publicly mocked Apostle Talent Chiwenga, questioning his prophetic abilities and invoking the death of Chiwenga's wife in a 2019 road accident. Makandiwa made the remarks during a recent church service, accusing Chiwenga of hypocrisy for questioning why prophets failed to foresee the helicopter crash that killed Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke. Chivayo, a controversial businessman, died in a helicopter crash in Marondera Rural on September 30.
The dispute between Makandiwa and Chiwenga began after Chiwenga criticised prominent prophets for failing to foresee Chivayo's death. Chiwenga questioned why a "true man of God" would not have anticipated the accident and had warned Chivayo against travelling. Makandiwa had previously responded to the criticism, stating that he had never claimed to possess complete knowledge of future events and that only God does.
Makandiwa repeatedly referred to Chiwenga as a woman and described his late wife as his "husband" in an apparent attempt to ridicule him. He also made an unsubstantiated personal allegation against Chiwenga, suggesting that he was involved in immoral activities with young boys. Makandiwa did not provide any evidence to support the allegation. The personal allegations exchanged by the two preachers have not been independently substantiated.
Chiwenga had criticised Makandiwa because of his close relationship with Chivayo, who had given him and his wife expensive vehicles and made a US$1 million donation towards UFIC's church construction project. Makandiwa had also shared dinner with Chivayo and Muteke five days before their deaths. The relationship led to intense public debate over why Makandiwa had apparently not anticipated the tragedy.
Makandiwa questioned why Chiwenga, given his own experience of losing his wife in an accident, had chosen to criticise other prophets. He stated that being a prophet did not mean he could foresee every death or that his own family was immune from tragedy. Makandiwa reiterated that he had never seen everything, doesn't see everything, and won't see everything.
The increasingly personal exchange has intensified a wider public debate over prophecy, accountability, and the relationships between Zimbabwe's prominent church leaders and wealthy benefactors. Chiwenga has since accused Makandiwa of crossing the line by involving his late wife in their dispute and challenged him to an open biblical debate.
The dispute has sparked a national conversation about the role of prophets and their relationships with wealthy individuals. Makandiwa ended his remarks with what appeared to be a warning that he was prepared to confront Chiwenga over the criticism. The two preachers have not provided evidence to support their allegations against each other.
Key points
- - Makandiwa invokes Chiwenga's late wife in a dispute over prophetic abilities - Chiwenga criticised Makandiwa for failing to foresee Chivayo's death - The dispute has intensified a wider public debate over prophecy and accountability
