Ngarivhume Says “Zvigananda” Have Invaded The Church After Makandiwa Parades US$1 Million At Pulpit

Opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume has called on Zimbabweans to resist what he described as the capture of the church by political oligarchs, following a highly publicised display of cash at United Family International Church (UFIC).

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Ngarivhume said millions of Zimbabweans gathered in churches to worship and seek hope, yet in the past week alleged criminal oligarchs, commonly called Zvigananda, had been tightening their grip on the church.

He claimed that for years traditional churches – Vapositori, VaZion and others – had been turned into ZANU PF branches and that the assault on the Pentecostal movement had now intensified, with luxury cars, millions of dollars and extravagant donations being poured into churches and placed before pastors.

Ngarivhume’s remarks came against the backdrop of a spectacle at UFIC on Sunday. The church’s founder and leader, Emmanuel Makandiwa, gave congregants what was described as quite the Sunday spectacle when he presented a staggering US$1 million in cash during a church service, money donated by Wicknell Chivayo towards the construction of a new church.

Stack upon stack of crisp US$100 banknotes lined the altar as Makandiwa stood before the congregation.

The cash display followed an announcement by Chivayo that he had pledged US$1 million for church development and two luxury vehicles to Makandiwa and his wife Ruth.

Chivayo said he would also gift Makandiwa a brand-new 2026 Rolls-Royce Cullinan facelift and a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon for his wife, days after the cleric said he was now willing to accept a gift he had previously turned down.

Ngarivhume said what Zimbabweans had witnessed was devastating.

“What we have witnessed is devastating. Money was paraded at the pulpit, and political loyalty openly celebrated in God’s house,” he wrote.

He alleged that some pastors had publicly declared their allegiance to ZANU PF and preached that Zimbabwe has only one party, quoting one leader as saying: “Kana ukati pasi naMunangagwa unenge uchiti pamberi nani? In Zimbabwe there is only ZANU PF!”

Ngarivhume was most likely referring to AFM president Amon Madzivire, who last week openly declared his support for ZANU PF after he received gifts from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The opposition politician questioned why financial scrutiny appeared selective. “Imagine if an ordinary Zimbabwean displayed a million dollars cash — the RBZ Financial Intelligence Unit would be demanding answers about where the money came from. But when it comes from the oligarchs, questions suddenly disappear. The pulpit, which should speak truth to power, is being captured by power,” he said.

Ngarivhume said the scenes must not break Zimbabweans but must awaken them.

“The oligarchs may have money, luxury cars, and political power, but they do not have what the people possess — numbers, courage, truth, and an unbreakable determination to reclaim their country. Zimbabwe does not belong to ED, Zanu PF, or the oligarchs. Zimbabwe belongs to its people, and the Church belongs to God,” he said.

He called on citizens to come together and speak with one voice, declaring: “We will not be bought. We will not be intimidated. We will not surrender our country, our Constitution, or our future.”