Archbishop Ezekiel Guti dies, succession battle looms

Harare-: ZIMBABWE Assemblies Of God Africa (ZAOGA) leader and founder Archbishop Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti has died.

He was 100 years.

The development was confirmed by ZAOGA National Executive Chairman Apostle Joseph Guti on the church’s television channel, Ezekiel TV Channel Wednesday night .

“I hereby announce to us the promotion to glory of our great iconic leader Archbishop Professor Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti…,” he said.

In May this year, Guti celebrated his 100th birthday where President Emmerson Mnangagwa was in attendance.

Founded on May 12, 1960; ZAOGA has assemblies worldwide under the Forward In Faith (FIF) ministries.

The church has several properties prompting speculation that a scathing succession battle and possibly a split was looming.

Already signs of fissures were showing with illegal transfer of some properties from Guti’s name – a move that was successfully fought by one of Guti’s daughters.

Gracious Chikore , the mother to the former late President Robert Mugabe son-in-law Simba Chikore is alleged to be grasping at straws to take over and is one of the chief actors in sowing seeds of division .

This led to the inexplicable booting out of secretary general Washington Rupapa in a boardroom coup.

His wife Eunor Guti is alleged to be in Chikore’s faction and there was massive purging of long serving leaders in a plot to make a smooth take-over.

On the day of his birthday, controversial clergyman Passion Java prophesied his death and urged him to keep the church intact as he foresaw division.

“Put things house in order because on your departure ZAOGA will be divided into two.

“I saw celestial beings celebrating your coming home, and I saw one who was holding a trumpet and a golden bowel saying it is time, and the time is now,” said Passion then.