The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Correspondent
A WHITE garment prophet who makes around US$100 every week was recently dragged to court for neglecting his minor child who has special needs.
John Muchetu, who is popularly known as Madzibaba John by his clients in Sakubva, defaulted court on Monday when his child’s mother, Violet Kamukai, appeared at Mutare Civil Courts.
Upon seeing Muchetu’s signature confirming that he had been served with the summons by the Messenger of Court, magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo granted Kamukai the $11 700 maintenance she had applied for.
She told the court that her two-year-old child has Down syndrome, heart complications and is deaf, adding that Madzibaba John deserted them when she gave birth to the child.
“Since he claims to be a well-known prophet who helps people so much, why has he not been able to heal his own child?
“I believe this man is a fake prophet who is milking money from people,” said Kamukai.
She told the court that when she was still living with Muchetu, every week he would make an average of US$100 at his shrine.
“He would make US$100 a week or even more, yet he now claims that he is unemployed and refuses to take responsibility as a father. While he has since re-married, his child has special needs and needs to be looked after. The little that I raise is not enough to cater for the child’s needs,” said Kamukai.
Mr Murendo said Muchetu should be a responsible father and should contribute towards the upkeep of his child.
He said it is the child’s right to get proper medical care.
