By Victor Fanuel
HARARE — Police on Monday descended on the headquarters of Tabernacle of Grace (TOG) in Harare, interrogating church workers and pastors as part of investigations linked to a viral audio recording that allegedly exposes businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei discussing succession politics and his purported presidential ambitions.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) indicated that they were seeking TOG founder Apostle Batsirai Java in connection with the leaked recording, which surfaced last Wednesday and has triggered intense political and public debate.
The audio, which captures a conversation between a man alleged to be Apostle Java and another person believed to be a senior journalist, purportedly contains claims about Tagwirei’s influence within government and his plans for Zimbabwe’s political future.
Witnesses said nine CID officers travelling in five vehicles arrived at the church premises on Monday morning, where they questioned staff and pastors about Apostle Java’s whereabouts.
Investigators later proceeded to his residence, where they sought information about his vehicles and verified his address.
Among those interviewed was Apostle Java’s younger brother, Pastor Simba Java.
The operation followed visits by CID officers on Sunday to church properties in Tynwald and Ruwa.
Sources said officers were travelling in an Isuzu vehicle bearing registration number AFU 9923.
Police have not publicly disclosed the specific offences under investigation.
The recording is alleged to have originated from information purportedly shared by Tagwirei with Apostle Java’s other brother, Passion Java.
Both Passion Java and Apostle Java have denied involvement in the recording.
The explosive 33-minute audio has circulated widely on social media, with critics arguing that it suggests extensive political influence by Tagwirei across state institutions.
Supporters of Tagwirei have dismissed the recording as fabricated and politically motivated.
Meanwhile, sources familiar with developments claim that Spirit Embassy founder Prophet Ubert Angel has emerged as a key figure pushing for action against Apostle Java following the leak.
According to a source close to the matter, Angel began lobbying for Apostle Java’s arrest shortly after the audio surfaced.
“Angel has vowed to spend whatever is necessary to ensure Apostle Java is arrested,” the source alleged.
The source further claimed that associates linked to Angel had begun telling people over the weekend that Apostle Java’s arrest was imminent, even before police visited TOG premises.
Another source alleged that Angel met Tagwirei shortly after the recording went viral and advocated for legal action against Apostle Java.
The source also claimed Angel had recorded a video predicting the arrest of a prominent church leader but did not publish it after efforts to secure immediate action allegedly failed.
Several of the allegations made against Angel could not be independently verified, and he was not immediately available for comment.
The latest developments have reignited a long-standing rivalry between Angel and Apostle Java, whose relationship has deteriorated over the years amid mutual accusations and public disputes.
Supporters of Apostle Java allege that previous efforts were made to discredit him through smear campaigns and other schemes.
Similar allegations have surfaced repeatedly during the feud, although many remain untested in court.
The rivalry intensified in 2024 after Apostle Java’s aide, Nigel Dutiro, filed a police report alleging a plot against the church leader.
Authorities subsequently questioned individuals linked to the matter, and national police spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed at the time that investigations had been opened.
Sources now claim the leaked audio has further escalated tensions between the two camps.
One source alleged that some individuals implicated in the recording want not only Apostle Java but also the journalist heard in the audio to publicly distance themselves from the conversation and issue apologies as part of efforts to contain the fallout.
“These days, he is attending meeting after meeting seeking support for his plans against Apostle Java. He is determined to bring him down,” the source claimed.
The allegations come as authorities continue investigating the origins and authenticity of the recording, which has become one of the most talked-about political controversies in recent weeks.
