UFI church founder and leader Emmanuel Makandiwa has been implicated in the kidnap and torture of 5 men for allegedly stealing gold ore from a mine believed to be his.
The 5 were reportedly kidnapped and tortured in degrading ways for allegedly stealing gold ore from Havilah Gold Mine in Mutoko.
The torture which was led by the mine’s security officer Garikai Murambidzi, reportedly included immersion in water, beatings with rifle butts, batons and other objects.
Murambidzi purported to be acting on behalf of Makandiwa. The victims later reported the matter to the police by Muambidzi and his co-assailants were not arrested.
A letter by the victims’ lawyers to Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga read:
“Our clients were warned that the assault would not stop and they would not be released but would be killed instead unless if they admitted that they were the ones who had stolen Makandiwa’s gold
“Our clients were detained at the police station from January 25-27. They were arraigned before the Mutawatawa Magistrates Court whereupon the state declined to prosecute the matter due to insufficient evidence,
“Our clients managed to identify one of the four men as Joseph Dzomba, a retired police officer who is now a personal bodyguard and security personnel for prophet Makandiwa,” said the lawyers.
UFIC spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufakunesu, however, dismissed the allegations saying Makandiwa does not own a gold mine.