YOU DON'T NEED A PERMIT TO GRIEFT!” Nick Mangwana Brutally Shreds Apostle Talent Chiwenga Over Emotional Grave Visit Plea!
Written By: Mzansi News Desk
Published: October 28, 2026 | 5 min read
Zimbabwean government spokesperson Nick Mangwana has delivered a sharp response to an emotional plea by outspoken preacher Apostle Talent Chiwenga, who requested a one-week grace period to visit family graves upon returning to the country.
Mangwana dismissed suggestions that state authorities were standing in the way of Chiwenga's personal mourning, firmly asserting that visiting a tombstone requires neither official state blessing nor a government permit.
“You Do Not Need Our Blessing to Stand by a Tombstone”
Addressing the matter on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, government spokesperson Nick Mangwana directly confronted the viral video message released by Apostle Talent Chiwenga regarding his planned homecoming.
Mangwana accused the outspoken cleric of playing to the gallery and attempting to manufacture public sympathy by framing the Zimbabwean government as an adversary intent on preventing his mourning.
Key Remarks by Mangwana
“He is free to visit those graves as many times a year, or a day as his heart desires,” Mangwana posted.
Emphasized that grief requires no administrative approval, stating citizens do not need state sanction to mourn their dead.
Apostle Talent Chiwenga’s Emotional Grace Period Appeal
Apostle Talent Chiwenga, who has spent several years living and preaching abroad, released an emotive video message outlining his conditions and intentions upon returning to Zimbabwe.
The preacher stated that he desperately needs a one-week grace period to visit the grave of his late wife, Rejoice Jerina Chiwenga, as well as the burial sites of his parents, who passed away the previous week. He also intends to travel to Wedza to inspect a newly installed tombstone at his father’s grave.
Preacher's Position:Chiwenga stated that he would accept whatever legal or administrative actions authorities might take against him after the requested week of mourning has concluded.
Years of Government Friction and Tragic History
Chiwenga has maintained a contentious relationship with the state, frequently using his pulpit to deliver scathing critiques of the Zimbabwean government. In October 2021, Human Rights Watch highlighted his safety concerns after he reported heavy surveillance around his residence and church.
The preacher's personal life was deeply scarred on 12 June 2019, when a tragic road traffic accident near Masvingo claimed the lives of his wife, Rejoice Jerina Chiwenga, and two church members while he was behind the wheel. Chiwenga subsequently alleged that the crash was a deliberate assassination plot orchestrated against him.
Logistics and Security: Unanswered Questions Remain
Despite Nick Mangwana’s public assurance that no state permission is required to visit a cemetery, exact details regarding Chiwenga’s travel itinerary remain murky.
Questions regarding his official flight arrangements, potential security protocols, and whether law enforcement agencies intend to question him upon arrival are yet to be definitively addressed by either side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chiwenga requested a one-week grace period upon returning to Zimbabwe to visit the graves of his late wife and parents before facing any state actions.
Mangwana dismissed the request, stating that Chiwenga needed no government permit or state blessing to visit a grave and accused him of seeking public sympathy.
A tragic car crash near Masvingo killed Chiwenga's wife, Rejoice, and two church members, leading Chiwenga to allege an assassination attempt.
He wants to visit his late wife's grave, his parents' recent graves, and inspect a newly installed tombstone in Wedza.
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