By Judith Matanire
United Family International Church (UFIC) leader Emmanuel Makandiwa has made striking remarks following the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, suggesting that the businessman was aware that his time was limited before the fatal helicopter crash.
In a condolence statement issued after the crash, Makandiwa said Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, appeared to have been conscious of the importance of completing their acts of generosity while they were still alive.
“What is important to note, for those that care, is that the couple knew their time was taken and desired for that time to be while they were at their best, and their giving and helping people was to be completed on time — hence they were in a rush to give and indeed SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST,” Makandiwa said.
The remarks have raised questions over what Makandiwa meant when he said the couple “knew their time was taken”, particularly given that they died in a helicopter crash shortly afterwards.
Makandiwa also directly addressed speculation over whether he had prophetically seen the accident before it happened.
“As for the question of whether I saw the accident prophetically before time or not, as some may wonder; that, to me, was rendered unimportant when I stated in time past my inability to see everything,” he said.
He added:
“I reiterate that I have never seen everything, I don’t see everything, and I won’t see everything, only God does because he has no gift to see.”
Makandiwa revealed that he had spent time with Chivayo and Muteke at their home shortly before their deaths, including having supper and private discussions.
“I thank God that we had time together at their house where we had supper and private discussions in that and previous other meetings whose purposes remain confidential,” he said.
The combination of Makandiwa’s comments about the couple allegedly knowing that “their time was taken” and his clarification that he does not “see everything” is likely to fuel renewed debate around prophecy and whether the tragedy had been known or foreseen before it happened.
However, Makandiwa did not explicitly say that Chivayo knew the exact date, manner or circumstances of his death, nor did he claim that he himself had predicted the helicopter crash.
He ended his statement by praying for those mourning the victims, saying the Lord would keep them in “His perfect peace.”
