Africa
Nigerian Pastor stirs controversy in Zimbabwe With Election Prophecy
Samuel Akinbodunse, a South Africa-based Nigerian pastor, has stirred controversy in Zimbabwe with a prophecy that Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition party, would win the country’s 2023 presidential election.
The Pretoria-based pastor, who is also the founder of Samuel Akinbodunse Ministries, said in a Facebook video on January 4 that God told him that Nelson Chamisa’s time had come.
Chamisa, 44, lost to Emmerson Mnangagwa, the incumbent president in 2018.
Akinbodunse had said that God told him that it was not yet time for Chamisa in 2018. He told his congregants that Mnangagwa would be president.
He added that Chamisa would be victorious after several gruelling legal challenges in 2023.
“Zimbabwe. Some time ago, the Lord said to me that I should speak to Chamisa to go and be silent and that it was not yet time for him to come as president… I said that Mnangagwa was the one that God was taking in order to show Zimbabwe the way,” Akinbodunse said.
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“But this time around, the Lord said to me that Honourable Chamisa’s time has come. So I see this man as the next president, but it will be very hard. It will be a battle from court to court. Many lives will be lost.
“There will be a great fight on the street. There will be burning of tyres, burning of properties; but at last, victory shall be given to the man.
“Please write my prophecy down.”
The Nigerian pastor also said the election’s outcome would result in a lot of bloodshed on the streets of Zimbabwe.
Akinbodunse’s prophecy has, however, sparked controversy and divided Zimbabweans on social media.
While some Zimbabweans welcomed the prophecy, saying that they could not wait for it to come to pass, others questioned it.
“God has spoken. Mr @nelsonchamisa is the next President of Zimbabwe”, @alistarchibanda, a Twitter user, wrote
“‘Psalm 118:22-23 says, ‘The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. ‘Ini I believe in prophecy especially from authentic prophets like this one. So let it be for sure. Ngazvitodaro wena.’”
Believe Chikom, another Zimbabwean Twitter user, disagreed with the prophesy, saying it was a mere prediction that might end up not becoming a reality.
“Predicting is not prophesying; soothsaying is not prophesying either. A prophesy is there to warn and to caution the people to get things right with God. God sent a lying spirit to a prophet, 1 kings 22 — tell Ahab that he would win in battle against Assyria — only to have him killed,’” Chikom wrote.
“There has to be a ‘proofread’ and I am sure you knew that before making such needless declarations,” BAWSE, another Twitter user, said.
Africa
Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
The Federal Government of Nigeria has refuted “in very strong terms” allegations that it is plotting to destabilise neighbouring Niger Republic.
The Nigerien authorities alleged that the Lakurawa terrorist group, with the help of foreign security forces, including Nigerian security forces, were responsible for the attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline on December 13, 2024, in Gaya, Dosso Region of Niger Republic.
However, Nigeria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Saturday signed by its acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, refuted the allegation.
“The Government of Nigeria condoles with the Government of Niger over the unfortunate attack on the oil pipeline, but informs that the perpetrators were neither backed nor assisted by Nigerian authorities.
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“The Government of Nigeria is strongly committed to the fight against terrorism and will not condone or support the activities of such groups.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria also expresses very serious concern and states categorically that there are no French military troops in the northern part of the country preparing to destabilize the Government of Niger.
“These allegations are unfounded and should be discarded in their entirety,” the Statement read in part.
It also noted that the relationship between Nigeria and France had always been cordial, saying it is guided by mutual respect, dignity, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
The government of Nigeria assured that it would continue to explore all peaceful means to maintain its cordial relationship with the Republic of Niger for the benefit of the people of both countries.
Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic
Africa
Suspected witchdoctors arrested over attempt to ‘bewitch’ Zambia’s President
Suspected witchdoctors arrested over attempt to ‘bewitch’ Zambia’s President
Two men were detained in Zambia on charges of being “witchdoctors” tasked with attempting to bewitch the president.
The police stated they had arrested Jasten Mabulesse Candunde and Leonard Phiri in Lusaka.
“Their purported mission was to use charms to harm” President Hakainde Hichilema, according to the police statement issued on Friday.
Many individuals in the southern African country believe in and dread witches.
The police stated Mr. Candunde and Mr. Phiri were hired by Nelson Banda, MP Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda’s younger brother.
The MP was reportedly arrested last month in nearby Zimbabwe on robbery allegations, which he denies, but he has not been seen in public since.
He is also accused of escaping from detention in August while waiting to appear in court.
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF), led by z, has previously claimed that the charges are politically motivated.
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Emmanuel Banda, who has been an independent MP since 2021, previously worked with Lungu, who lost the presidency to Hichilema that same year.
The police stated the MP’s younger brother, Nelson, was “currently on the run” in their statement.
Mr. Candunde and Mr. Phiri face charges under Zambia’s Witchcraft Act for “possession of charms,” “professing knowledge of witchcraft,” and “cruelty to wild animals.”
The pair was found with “assorted charms,” including a live chameleon, according to the authorities.
According to the police statement, they claimed they had been given more than 2 million Zambian kwacha (£58,000; $73,000) for their “mission.”
The accused are in jail and will appear in court “soon,” according to the police, although no specific date has been set for the hearing. They have not yet responded in public to the charges.
Suspected witchdoctors arrested over attempt to ‘bewitch’ Zambia’s President
Africa
South African man sentenced to six life terms for killing his relatives
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