A LOCAL church leader was on Friday arrested for allegedly duping a Chitungwiza businessman of foreign currency needed for a consignment of Bibles for his congregation.

Apostle Isaiah Zhanje of Jesus Christ New Life International Church’s grace luck ran out after he was offered more money by Tinashe Sithole for a laptop he was selling leading to his arrest.

He was detained at Chitungwiza police station under police reference RRB 4136120 and is expected to appear in court today.

Narrating how he was duped, Sithole told H-Metro that he lost US$57 after he was made to believe that the man of cloth had more than one farm, trucks and containers urging him to visit his Harare offices where he conducts church services.

“This apostle came to my workplace dropping flyers for his ministry showing a Daventry House address where he claimed he conducts church services every Sunday,” said Sithole.

“For three weeks he would pass through my place at Chikwanha Shopping Centre asking me to charge his cellphone.

“Apostle Zhanje would talk more about his wealth more than inviting us to his church or even quoting Holy Scriptures.

“Good news dzavo dzaive dzekuti ndine macontainers amurikuda munogona kuita rent to buy muchibvisa paduku paduku.

“I believed him since I was looking for a container and we signed an agreement on a rent to buy basis and got the copies certified before a Commissioner of Oaths.

“It was at the Commissioner of Oaths where he refused to produce a national identity card and convinced him to certify the agreement using a fake birth certificate.

“Achingobva pabasa pangu akabva angosanga neimwewo crane pachikwanha ipapo ndobva aimisa kubva ataura neboys dzaive necrane bvavawirirana US$160 kubva vashandisa phone yemukomana aive ne crane kundisheedza kuti ndinoiwona sezvo phone yake yanga yapera moto,” said Sithole.

He was made to believe that the container was at Westgate and paid US$57.
Afterwards, Apostle Zhanje could not be seen and would not answer Sithole’s calls.

Sithole was shown a laptop by Apostle Zhanje and asked to pay part payment or full amount since they had agreed to make big deals.

“I sent a text message fooling him that I had US$400 he wanted for his laptop and that is when he responded by calling me,” Sithole.

“Upon his arrival at Chikwanha, I informed police leading to his arrest.

“He never told anyone about his arrest including church members that I doubt if he has any ministry he is leading.

“Kana iriko kereke yake zvoreva kuti Sunday Havana mufudzi nekuti avemumaoko evemutemo vomboshumirawo kwaari,” said Sithole.
— HMetro