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Harare, Zimbabwe – Prophet Andrew Wutaunashe, and ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, took an extraordinary 8 hours on Christmas Day to deliver an impassioned sermon targeting the ZimEye news network. In an emotional address, Wutaunashe lashed out at the publication for its recent exposé, which highlights his demands for a luxury car from his impoverished church members while publicly claiming to advocate for the poor.
The ZimEye article, published earlier this month, highlighted the preacher’s December 15 sermon in which he announced his expectation of receiving a brand-new car by Easter 2025, stressing that this should be arranged by his bishops who must prove that they love him through this. The report pointed out the contradiction in Wutaunashe’s condemnation of the British government for allegedly lacking “a conscience for the poor” while simultaneously making costly demands on his financially struggling followers.
In his Christmas sermon, Wutaunashe referred to ZimEye as a “social media thing” and instructed his congregation to rebrand it as “ZimOwl,” drawing on an unusual anecdote from his childhood involving witches, snakes, and hyenas.
“When we were young, we would sing in the African bush in the village… The snake is the whip. The headlight is an owl,” he said in the lengthy speech. He accused ZimEye of being part of a network of “Zimbabwean witches” intent on disrupting national progress. “You are used by Satan to disrupt all the progress and the blessing… to bring peace to this nation,” he declared.
A Call for a Luxury Vehicle
The preacher, who is known for his close ties to Zimbabwe’s political elite, also reiterated his demand for a new car during his sermon. “At Easter camp next year, the bishops will give me a car… I won’t tell them what type, otherwise they will be in shock,” he stated to applause.
This statement has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many Zimbabweans questioning the ethics of such a demand from a congregation largely composed of economically disadvantaged members. The backlash has also reignited debates about the role of religious leaders in perpetuating poverty while living lavish lifestyles.
The ZimEye team has yet to issue an official response to the sermon but has shared clips of the preacher’s speech on their platforms, prompting further scrutiny of his statements. Commentators have noted the irony of Wutaunashe’s claim to stand for the poor while making public demands that strain the finances of his flock.
Growing Divisions in Zimbabwe’s Religious and Political Landscape
The incident adds to a growing rift between Zimbabwe’s religious leaders and the public, with many accusing high-profile prophets of exploiting their congregations. Critics argue that Wutaunashe’s alignment with the ruling ZANU-PF party has shielded him from accountability while allowing him to maintain his affluent lifestyle.
As Easter 2025 approaches, it remains to be seen whether the bishop’s promise of a car will materialize—or if this controversy will further erode the preacher’s credibility among Zimbabweans.