Talent Chiwenga can visit his family’s graves without state approval, according to Zimbabwean government spokesperson Nick Mangwana. The response came after the apostle made an emotional plea for a week with his late loved ones before he faces any action from state officials upon his return home.
Mangwana was not buying the idea that the state had barred the preacher from paying his respects. His post on X made it clear that Chiwenga could go as often as he wished, with no permit or special clearance. He also accused the apostle of trying to win public pity by casting officials as the bad guys.
For Chiwenga, the request is personal. His parents had died just a week earlier, and he wanted to pay his respects at their resting places. A trip to Wedza was part of his plan, as he hoped to check the grave marker put up for his dad.
And the preacher did not ask for a free pass from any legal action. He said he would face what came next once his week was up, even if the state chose to reject his plea. After years spent abroad, he plans to head back to Zimbabwe.
But there is a lot of history here. Chiwenga has spent years calling out the state, and his fears about his safety are hardly new. Human Rights Watch had recorded his claims about people watching his house and church. Still, those claims did not prove that officials had planned to kill him.
His wife, Rejoice Jerina Chiwenga, lost her life in a car crash near Masvingo. Two members of his church died in that wreck as well, while Chiwenga was behind the wheel. He later claimed the crash was no accident and that someone had tried to take his life.
What happens next is still up in the air. No firm details about his trip have come out, and it is not clear what action, if any, state officials will take when he gets back.
Mangwana was not buying the idea that the state had barred the preacher from paying his respects. His post on X made it clear that Chiwenga could go as often as he wished, with no permit or special clearance. He also accused the apostle of trying to win public pity by casting officials as the bad guys.
For Chiwenga, the request is personal. His parents had died just a week earlier, and he wanted to pay his respects at their resting places. A trip to Wedza was part of his plan, as he hoped to check the grave marker put up for his dad.
And the preacher did not ask for a free pass from any legal action. He said he would face what came next once his week was up, even if the state chose to reject his plea. After years spent abroad, he plans to head back to Zimbabwe.
But there is a lot of history here. Chiwenga has spent years calling out the state, and his fears about his safety are hardly new. Human Rights Watch had recorded his claims about people watching his house and church. Still, those claims did not prove that officials had planned to kill him.
His wife, Rejoice Jerina Chiwenga, lost her life in a car crash near Masvingo. Two members of his church died in that wreck as well, while Chiwenga was behind the wheel. He later claimed the crash was no accident and that someone had tried to take his life.
What happens next is still up in the air. No firm details about his trip have come out, and it is not clear what action, if any, state officials will take when he gets back.
