Manyowa’s Role in Downplaying Military Involvement in August 1 Killings Resurfaces.

By Religion Reporter | ZimEye | UK based journalist Maynard Manyowa, currently serving as the fugitive Shepherd Bushiri’s spokesperson, has gone under review over his statements that call for the community to trust the GoldMafia implicated and fugitive ambassador Uebert Angel.

“ That said, having worked around these men of God – I can say Uebert Angel doesn’t cook prophecies or miracles.

“He never asked me to do it. I never saw him do it. And he had me bring strangers of my choosing to him – and told them their life from start to finish…,” writes Maynard Manyowa

The development comes at a time Manyowa is receiving assistance from journalist Hopewell Chin’ono to make what is supposed to be an expose’ of the government of Zimbabwe. Both Manyowa and Chin’ono have corrupted the army and CIO (central intelligence organisation) by testifying falsely to cover up for the Mnangagwa regime during crackdowns. While Chin’ono advises the ministry of Defence to descend onto the civil society as a way of suppressing political tension, Manyowa faces renewed scrutiny over his other statements and alleged efforts to downplay the August 1, 2018 military crackdown on protesters. Manyowa, is under fire for his testimony before the Kgalema Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry, where he controversially claimed he did not see soldiers at the scene of a fatal shooting.

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Motlanthe Commission Testimony: Did Manyowa Shield the Military?

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During his testimony before the Motlanthe Commission, Manyowa provided an account that contradicted multiple eyewitness reports and video evidence showing soldiers firing at civilians during post-election protests.

Manyowa told the commission that he did not see any soldiers when Ishmael Kumene was fatally shot near Cameron Street and Jason Moyo Avenue in Harare.

Said Manyowa:

“A group of protesters were running and as they were running, I noticed a guy wearing black and he took two steps and tumbled down.”

“At the time he took those steps, there had been people behind him, but there were no soldiers at the time. I don’t know who shot the guy. There were gunshots going all over the directions. I think it could be people in the crowd who fired shots.”

Manyowa’s version of events appeared to shift blame away from the security forces, instead suggesting that the fatal shots may have come from within the crowd of MDC-Alliance supporters.

Further defending the military’s actions, Manyowa claimed that soldiers only intervened after protesters turned violent—damaging police vehicles and targeting officers with bricks.

“Two gentlemen launched bricks towards the police water cannon and hit the muzzle. When they hit the muzzle, the water cannon immediately flooded, and that caused water leakages near the gate.”

Manyowa also alleged that MDC supporters had initially protested peacefully before returning in a more violent manner.

“A group of protesters besieged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Results Centre at the Rainbow Towers Hotel. They protested peacefully and co-operated with police. It was quite an incredible sight, watching protesters pave way for traffic, taking turns with the police to open and close the gate.”

“Some 20 minutes later, they left. Some one hour later they returned, with new company. Armed with sticks and stones. This time cars were blocked, police were stoned. A few colleagues and I received a few bricks to the back as we fled.”

His comments at the time were widely criticized, with many accusing him of acting as a shield for the Zimbabwean military, despite overwhelming evidence—including video footage—showing soldiers firing live ammunition at civilians.

Alleged Financial Ties to Uebert Angel Raise Further Questions

Adding to the controversy, Manyowa is also facing allegations of financial ties to Uebert Angel, a controversial religious leader linked to political elites. Resurfaced tweets from Manyowa show him praising Angel, thanking him for his presence at events, and later defending him against accusations of faking prophecies and miracles.

Critics argue that Manyowa’s credibility as a journalist is compromised due to his close affiliations with high-profile figures like Bushiri and Angel, both of whom have faced legal and ethical scrutiny. Some claim that Manyowa has benefited financially from these relationships, raising concerns about his ability to report objectively.

Twitter user Mike Mpofu directly confronted him, stating:

“Which work did you do other than writing an email over a well-known soccer issue, already publicly exposed in the High Court, and getting money from Uebert Angel all these years to date?”

Manyowa has not explicitly denied receiving financial support from Angel but dismissed the allegations as a desperate attack on his journalism.

Manyowa Responds: “I Struck a Nerve”

Responding to the backlash, Manyowa downplayed the resurfacing of his tweets, suggesting that his critics were simply recycling public information.

“The brilliant work I am doing has struck a nerve, I see. So let’s dig up public tweets and claim they are some revelation,” he tweeted, adding a laughing emoji.

On accusations of spiritual affiliations, he stated:

“I am not spiritual – so I don’t really mind what they are. N’angas or otherwise. Doesn’t bother me.”

Public Reaction: Calls for Accountability

Manyowa’s statements have triggered a fresh wave of criticism, with many questioning whether he used his platform to mislead the public about the military’s actions in 2018. His role as Bushiri’s spokesperson and ties to Angel have only fueled speculation that he is a mouthpiece for powerful figures rather than an objective journalist.

With Zimbabwe’s media and political landscape under intense scrutiny, calls for greater transparency and accountability in journalism continue to grow.