We are entirely unbothered — Mangwana responds to exiled Talent Chiwenga’s plea to visit wife’s grave

THE government has said preacher and outspoken government critic Talent Chiwenga is free to return to Zimbabwe, following his appeal from exile for permission to visit his late wife’s grave.

Information Ministry Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana said Chiwenga had nothing to fear if he decided to return home.

Chiwenga, who has lived outside Zimbabwe for more than five years, broke down during a sermon abroad on Sunday as he appealed to state security agencies to allow him to return briefly to visit his wife’s grave.

“I only have one request to the government of Zimbabwe. If they don’t grant it, its ok. I have also made peace with that. I request that they give me one week. During that one week, I would like to visit my wife’s grave,” he said.

Chiwenga said he would not return with his children because he feared they could be exposed to danger.

“I don’t know whether you shall see my face anymore. That is the burden I have in my heart for the longest of time,” he said.

“Maybe my body will never be found. I have submitted myself into their hands. Let them do what seems good in their sight. I will not be coming with my children. I don’t want them to watch those things happening. I know it might be a selfish decision for me because they might not have a father after that.”

Responding on his X account, Mangwana said the government was not concerned by the preacher’s remarks and insisted he was free to visit his wife’s grave without seeking official permission.

“We are entirely unbothered. In fact, he is free to visit those graves as many times a year, or a day as his heart desires. He does not need a government permit for his grief, nor our blessing to stand by a tombstone,” Mangwana posted.

He accused Chiwenga of using his personal loss to attract attention and sympathy on social media.

“We do, of course, understand that there are immense ‘street creds’ to be gained by villainizing the Government, and that playing the victim is a guaranteed way to farm sympathy and clicks for those desperately seeking attention. But surely, zvimwe munonozanyaya. Using your deceased relatives as props for a social media pity party is a new low, even for the pulpit,” Mangwana added.

Chiwenga’s fears about returning to Zimbabwe stem from a road accident on June 12, 2019, when his vehicle crashed near Masvingo as he travelled from South Africa towards Harare.

His wife, Rejoice Jerina Chiwenga, and two other church members died in the crash. Chiwenga was seriously injured and missed his wife’s burial.

While recovering in hospital, he claimed the crash was not an ordinary accident but an assassination attempt by what he described as cruel politicians.

A second accident in July 2020 near Norton left him with further injuries. He has said he underwent multiple surgeries following the two incidents.

In October 2021, Human Rights Watch reported that Chiwenga had fled his Harare home after telling the organisation that he feared a state security team had been sent to kill him because of his activism.

Through sermons broadcast on social media, Chiwenga has repeatedly criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration and accused the authorities of human rights abuses.

The post We are entirely unbothered — Mangwana responds to exiled Talent Chiwenga’s plea to visit wife’s grave appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.