'Hungry' Madzibaba arrested for theft

AN apostolic sect pastor allegedly broke into a house in Bulawayo and stole property worth $93 because 'he was extremely hungry after a five day fast.'

Madzibaba Admire Mangwende (32) caused a stir when he appeared in court dressed in flowing white robes and walking barefoot. He was asked to relinquish his staff, which he was waving about dramatically, to prison officers when appeared before Western Commonage Magistrate Willard Maphios Moyo, charged with theft.

He had the court in stitches as he explained how members of the public descended on him and severely assaulted him while he carried away a Dstv decoder, three passports, a t-shirt, a blouse, a track suit bottom and a radio receiver, which he had just stolen.

His right eye was swollen shut, allegedly from the assault on Monday in New Lobengula suburb.

Madzibaba Mangwende said he stole the goods because he was literally fainting from hunger, after fasting for five days.

He said he needed to raise money to buy food and travel back to Harare where he normally resides.

He said he was in Bulawayo for a miracle crusade.

The "man of God" pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and theft charge and was remanded in custody to tomorrow (Wednesday) for sentencing.

The prosecutor Mufaro Mageza told the court that Madzibaba Mangwende broke into Sharon Ncube's house at around 11am when she had gone to the shops.

Some boys who saw him alerted Ncube on her return and she raised the alarm.

Members of the public gave chase and caught the 'prophet' and dealt with him severely and unmercifully.

They dragged a bleeding Madzibaba Mangwende to Luveve Police Station with his church regalia in tatters and surrendered him to the cops.