Prominent preacher Apostle Chiwenga has heavily criticised Emmanuel Makandiwa after he urged people to get vaccinated.
Apostle Chiwenga says Makandiwa lied to the people when he said the vaccine is the mark of the beast.
He further went on to claim that if Makandiwa is the real man of God, he must not be afraid of persecution and imprisonment.
“He is now afraid of getting imprisoned for saying that the vaccine is the mark of the beast. Makandiwa is now afraid of our government. A man of God doesn’t behave like that Makandiwa especially when you have a message from God, you can deliver that message against all odds even at the risk of your own life,” said Apostle Chiwenga.
“You lied to us when you said the the vaccine is a mark of the beast, now that the vaccine is available you are now quite,” he added.
Emmanuel Makandiwa who previously claimed vaccines “tampered with the DNA” of Africans and vowed to go to prison than take a Covid-19 vaccine performed a spectacular volte-force on Sunday.
Makandiwa is now urging thousands of his followers to “follow what doctors are saying” and take the life-saving jabs which scientists say boost one’s immune system to fob off the worst symptoms of the virus and also avoid hospitalisation.
“I believe in vaccines, I support vaccines. God gives people wisdom to come up with ways of dealing with some of these pandemics. I believe these things. We have medications, we have pain killers in our house. So, I’m never against vaccines,” Makandiwa said during a virtual YouTube service on Sunday whilst admitting that he took vaccines as a child.
“I don’t want to hear a member, or a follower who says I’m not getting it (the vaccine) because the prophet said don’t have it. Don’t drag my name into this, this is a personal choice that you make…
“As far as this matter is concerned, we have professionals who are dealing with the issue physically, practically. I deal with these issues from a spiritual standpoint. So, what the doctors are telling you is what you need to do.”
Vaccine reluctance among some Zimbabweans has been blamed on religious beliefs and conspiracy theories fueled by charismatic preachers like Makandiwa.
