GETTYMr Mugabe's government has arrested a priest who predicted his death
POLICE in Zimbabwe have arrested a priest over claims God sent him a message saying dictator Robert Mugabe would die in October this year.
Patrick Mugadza, a 45-year-old, claims he was "transmitting a message from God" after making the declaration that Mr Mugabe was set to die on October 17 this year.
But he has angered government officials in the sub-Saharan country with his comments and appeared in court earlier today.
Now Mr Mugadza's lawyer is questioning the criminal aspects of the case insisting the state has to prove that God didn't send the message in order to find his client guilty.
It is a message from God. Police will have to prove that God did not say that
Gift Mtisi, lawyer
The arrest comes just three months after Mr Mugabe, who turns 93 next month, said he would stand down amid a black magic spell orchestrated by Joice Mujuru, the former vice-president, who he accused of of using "juju" to kill him.
However Mr Mugabe said he would only stand down if God personally intervened to tell him to.
The bizarre development has added to continued unrest in the country and comes following a British government report by Lord Peter Mandelson who declared the country is preparing for an "endgame".
GETTYMr Mugabe has been dogged with death rumours for years
Mr Mugadza's lawyer Gift Mtisi said: "I still have trouble finding the criminal act in the case.
"He is admitting the facts and saying that he did not lie.
"It is a message from God. Police will have to prove that God did not say that."
GETTYPatrick Mugadza was told by God that Robert Mugabe is going to die on October 17
Mr Mtisi added that his client had initially been accused of undermining the president's authority, later being charged with "criminal harassment" and "insulting people of a certain race or religion."
It is not the first time the priest has angered the state after organising a series of protests, including one in 2015 where he held up a sign which said: "Mr president, people are suffering."
After that incident he was held for 16 days before being freed after human rights lawyers argued his case and he paid a £39 fine.
GETTYMr Mugabe is not impressed about rumours over his death
In November, Mr Mugabe declared God is on his side and will protect him but that he is willing to "sit down and talk" amid claims he's losing his grip on power.
In an unusual interview, Mugabe accused Joice Mujuru, the former vice-president, of using "juju" or black magic to force his downfall.
He told state owned paper the Sunday Mail: "If I retire, let me retire properly. We will sit down and talk about it properly.
"If I'm doing wrong, tell me, and I will go."
GETTYLocal pastor Patrick Phillip Mugadza was brought to court today
"They are saying Mugabe is going to die, but when? Why should I die? Because God doesn't want me to die now."
He made the declaration after Express.co.uk revealed Lord Peter Mandelson warned the UK Government that an "endgame" was underway in Zimbabwe giving two examples of how the "crisis" will play out.
Mr Mandelson, the chair of Lazard International investment bank, told British civil servants the 92-year-old was preparing an "endgame" for the country, suggesting he believes he is close to being on his death bed.
Patrick Mugadza, a 45-year-old, claims he was "transmitting a message from God" after making the declaration that Mr Mugabe was set to die on October 17 this year.
But he has angered government officials in the sub-Saharan country with his comments and appeared in court earlier today.
Now Mr Mugadza's lawyer is questioning the criminal aspects of the case insisting the state has to prove that God didn't send the message in order to find his client guilty.
It is a message from God. Police will have to prove that God did not say that
Gift Mtisi, lawyer
The arrest comes just three months after Mr Mugabe, who turns 93 next month, said he would stand down amid a black magic spell orchestrated by Joice Mujuru, the former vice-president, who he accused of of using "juju" to kill him.
However Mr Mugabe said he would only stand down if God personally intervened to tell him to.
The bizarre development has added to continued unrest in the country and comes following a British government report by Lord Peter Mandelson who declared the country is preparing for an "endgame".
GETTYMr Mugabe has been dogged with death rumours for yearsMr Mugadza's lawyer Gift Mtisi said: "I still have trouble finding the criminal act in the case.
"He is admitting the facts and saying that he did not lie.
"It is a message from God. Police will have to prove that God did not say that."
GETTYPatrick Mugadza was told by God that Robert Mugabe is going to die on October 17Mr Mtisi added that his client had initially been accused of undermining the president's authority, later being charged with "criminal harassment" and "insulting people of a certain race or religion."
It is not the first time the priest has angered the state after organising a series of protests, including one in 2015 where he held up a sign which said: "Mr president, people are suffering."
After that incident he was held for 16 days before being freed after human rights lawyers argued his case and he paid a £39 fine.
GETTYMr Mugabe is not impressed about rumours over his deathIn November, Mr Mugabe declared God is on his side and will protect him but that he is willing to "sit down and talk" amid claims he's losing his grip on power.
In an unusual interview, Mugabe accused Joice Mujuru, the former vice-president, of using "juju" or black magic to force his downfall.
He told state owned paper the Sunday Mail: "If I retire, let me retire properly. We will sit down and talk about it properly.
"If I'm doing wrong, tell me, and I will go."
GETTYLocal pastor Patrick Phillip Mugadza was brought to court today"They are saying Mugabe is going to die, but when? Why should I die? Because God doesn't want me to die now."
He made the declaration after Express.co.uk revealed Lord Peter Mandelson warned the UK Government that an "endgame" was underway in Zimbabwe giving two examples of how the "crisis" will play out.
Mr Mandelson, the chair of Lazard International investment bank, told British civil servants the 92-year-old was preparing an "endgame" for the country, suggesting he believes he is close to being on his death bed.
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