05/09/2026
English Translation:
DEWEDZO AT CHIWAKIRA HILL, 1935
As explained by Mbuya Raina Nyangwawu Nee Nedewedzo:
Baba Johane was living in Dewedzo at Chiwakira Hill. Police officers came from Rusape and arrested Baba. They took Baba away and imprisoned him.
This was the third time Baba had been arrested in Dewedzo. Baba stayed there for some time.
Baba Kingstone Nedewedzo said to Chief Nedewedzo, "Baba has been away for many days. We thought perhaps we would see him on his return. Now he is not coming, so what shall we do?"
The Chief then said, "So you, Baba Kingstone, what do you think about going to see how Baba is?"
They agreed, and Baba Kingstone set off for Rusape.
Baba Johan had been accused of converting people from Roman Catholic among other churches. Baba arrived as the sun was going down.
When Baba Kingstone arrived, he saw a policeman named Zigori. The policeman questioned him.
"What are you doing here?"
Baba Kingstone said, "I have come to see Baba Johan, whom you arrested in Dewedzo, at Chiwakira Hill."
The policeman said, "Are you mad? You are following a mad fool?"
Baba Kingstone said, "He is my fool, my healer, because he healed my child."
The policeman said, "You should also be imprisoned."
"But we respect Chief Nedewedzo. So who are you?"
He said, "I am Kingstone Nedewedzo, the son of Chief Nedewedzo."
This policeman knew the people of Nedewedzo and knew that they ruled Dewedzo through warfare.
So the policeman said, "In that case, come and sleep at my home."
Kingstone said, "I want to stay so that when you count the prisoners, when they are brought out, I should see him. So I would rather sleep here at the camp. I have my blanket and my jacket."
The policeman said, "All right, sleep here."
That night Baba Kingstone slept at the Police Station.
He later saw Baba Johan out of the cell. The others then said, "Baba, come closer so that we can sleep together."
The following morning, when it became light, the police came and found Baba Johane outside.
Policeman Zigori said, "You, Kingstone, will die in prison. This man has come out and you slept with him outside."
Baba then said, "Tell them to check whether the door was locked and whether their prisoners were still inside."
Zigori opened the door of the cell and began counting the prisoners. He also counted Baba Johane.
Baba Kingstone then appeared and said, "I am going."
Baba Johane said, "Wait for me on the other side."
Baba Kingstone said, "Then I will wait for you at Chakawa, where I will eat a ground maize meal"
Baba said, "Wait, let me bring him out."
Kingstone said, "If a prisoner is telling me to wait for him, how can he have come out? You should think about this as you walk."
All the prisoners were then taken to work.
Their work involved rolling timber that had been cut and putting it into a coach that would take it to Mutare.
Baba Johane began singing Hozzana. The people were quietly told to respond.
The timber began rolling by itself and entering the cart by itself, without anyone touching it.
The cart became full in a very short time.
This was a miracle.
The police then said, "We have seen what has happened, Shonhiwa. Go and collect your things and leave. You are free."
Baba Johan then set off and met Baba Kingstone at St Joseph.
They walked together as far as Chindukuro. Baba said, "Let us pray," and they prayed there.
Then he said, "Let us go."
Baba Kingstone later said to Baba, "I am going through St Columbus to see Mhundiwa of Bvekerwa."
Baba's manner of walking was like that of someone being carried.
Baba Johane could not walk at the same pace as us. His steps were long. He would walk as though skipping or running.
That is why Kingstone said, "I am going through St. Columbus."
Baba Johane then said, "Then we shall meet ahead."
Kingstone continued and eventually reached home, where he found that Baba Johane had already arrived home.
Amen.
