Vapostori helping cops hunt fugitive Madzibaba

Leaders of the Johanne Masowe yeChishanu Apostolic Church are helping police to hunt fugitive sect leader Ishmael Mufani whose followers assaulted officers and journalists in Budiriro, Harare, last week.

Mr Edward Manyara, a senior member of Johanne Masowe, distanced his church from Mufani's congregation, which stands accused of organising forced marriages, barring congregants from accessing medical treatment and education.

Mr Manyara said Mufani should be arrested for flagrant human rights violations.

He said his cult practices were not part of the Johanne Masowe doctrine.

"We made a decision as church elders that we should help the police to hunt Madzibaba Ishmael.

"On a number of occasions, we visited his church and told him to stop his practices.

"All those things that were being done in his church were part his own doctrine."

Mr Lawrence Katsiru, another Johannes Masowe leader, apologised to the nation last week and clarified that Mufani was not affiliated to their church.

"We would like to apologise to the President, Zimbabwe Republic Police, ACCZ, journalists and the nation at large for what happened on Friday.

"I would like to make it clear that Mufani is not part of Johanne Masowe yeChishanu since we only have five leaders, and he is not among the five."