Madzibaba Godfrey Nzira, a self proclaimed prophet and Robert Mugabe supporter who in 2003 was jailed for 32 years on seven counts of rape and one count of indecent assault, walked out of prison a free man this week thanks to a controversial presidential pardon from Mugabe.

SW Radio Africa understands the serial rapist was released on ‘compassionate grounds’ owing to poor health. Journalist Gift Phiri told SWRA that Nzira travelled to his shrine in Chitungwiza on Thursday in the company of about four of his wives. Phiri said although Nzira looked visibly sick, he was walking on his own, unaided.

In 2002 Madzibaba Nzira hit the campaign trail in support of Mugabe’s presidential bid. That year he claimed Mugabe was a “divinely appointed king of Zimbabwe and no man should dare challenge his office.” His bootlicking of the regime was not enough to save him from his conviction, after women’s rights groups stuck to their guns in ensuring that he did not escape prosecution.

The day Nzira was convicted, 2000 members of his sect went ballistic outside the court, beating up court officials and policemen on duty. Even the magistrate is said to have narrowly escaped death when they pounced on her. In December 2009 a court slashed his 32 year jail term by 12 years leaving him to serve only 20 years. He now has only served about 7 years of that sentence.

Nzira was accused of raping two women followers from his sect after they came to him for spiritual healing. His release by Mugabe this week nearly seven years after being jailed has raised suspicion that the ZANU PF leader is bidding to woo support from Nzira’s followers ahead of possible elections.

Only last year Mugabe attended a Johanne Marange Apostolic sect service while wearing their familiar white gowns. The move was seen by many as a campaign gimmick.

By SW radio