This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-38651506
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe pastor held over Robert Mugabe death prophecy | Zimbabwe pastor held over Robert Mugabe death prophecy |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Zimbawean pastor who predicted the death of President Robert Mugabe has been arrested, his lawyer says. | A Zimbawean pastor who predicted the death of President Robert Mugabe has been arrested, his lawyer says. |
| Patrick Mugadza announced last week that the 92-year-old head of state would die on 17 October this year. | Patrick Mugadza announced last week that the 92-year-old head of state would die on 17 October this year. |
| His lawyer, Gift Mtisi, told the BBC that he was relaying a "message from God. Police would have to prove that God didn't say it". | His lawyer, Gift Mtisi, told the BBC that he was relaying a "message from God. Police would have to prove that God didn't say it". |
| Mr Mugabe mocks frequent rumours of his death, saying he has been resurrected more often than Jesus Christ. | Mr Mugabe mocks frequent rumours of his death, saying he has been resurrected more often than Jesus Christ. |
| Mr Mtisi said his client had initially been charged with undermining the authority of the president, then "criminal nuisance" and finally "insulting people of a certain race or religion". | Mr Mtisi said his client had initially been charged with undermining the authority of the president, then "criminal nuisance" and finally "insulting people of a certain race or religion". |
| Mr Mugadza was laughing about the charges and would plead not guilty. | Mr Mugadza was laughing about the charges and would plead not guilty. |
| "I'm still at pains to find the criminal part of it," Mr Mtisi told the BBC. | "I'm still at pains to find the criminal part of it," Mr Mtisi told the BBC. |
| He added the pastor had no regrets about making the prophesy: | He added the pastor had no regrets about making the prophesy: |
| "He's admitting to the facts. He says he didn't lie - that's a message from God. Police will have to prove God didn't say it." | "He's admitting to the facts. He says he didn't lie - that's a message from God. Police will have to prove God didn't say it." |
| Mr Mugadza of the Remnant Church held a press conference last week at which he announced his prophecy of Mr Mugabe's forthcoming demise. | Mr Mugadza of the Remnant Church held a press conference last week at which he announced his prophecy of Mr Mugabe's forthcoming demise. |
| He was arrested at the magistrate's court in Harare where he was appearing on separate charges of wearing the national flag. | He was arrested at the magistrate's court in Harare where he was appearing on separate charges of wearing the national flag. |
| This was made an offence last year, after another Pastor, Evan Mawarire, launched a campaign urging Zimbabweans to reclaim their flag. | This was made an offence last year, after another Pastor, Evan Mawarire, launched a campaign urging Zimbabweans to reclaim their flag. |
| This is not Pastor Mugadza's first brush with the law. | This is not Pastor Mugadza's first brush with the law. |
| Lamppost sermon | |
| In 2005, he was arrested and detained for nearly a month after holding a placard telling Mr Mugabe his people were suffering under his rule. | In 2005, he was arrested and detained for nearly a month after holding a placard telling Mr Mugabe his people were suffering under his rule. |
| And on Zimbabwe's independence day last year, he gave a sermon while tied to a lamppost in Harare's main shopping mall, saying the act symbolised the lack of freedom in the country. | And on Zimbabwe's independence day last year, he gave a sermon while tied to a lamppost in Harare's main shopping mall, saying the act symbolised the lack of freedom in the country. |
| Last September, the president was rumoured to have died after he reportedly cut short his attendance of an AU summit to fly to Dubai for a health check. | Last September, the president was rumoured to have died after he reportedly cut short his attendance of an AU summit to fly to Dubai for a health check. |
| Mr Mugabe later joked about the rumours, saying he indeed died but only resurrected. | Mr Mugabe later joked about the rumours, saying he indeed died but only resurrected. |