Police arrest Mzuzu Prophet for encroaching Kaning’ina Mountain top

Munthu wa Mulungu Khumbo Madise who made Kaning’ina Mountain—part of Kaning’ina Forest Reserve—his abode since 2018 was arrested on Tuesday for contravening the Forestry Act, police have confirmed.

Mzuzu Police spokesman, Paul Tembo, said Madise was arrested following a complaint from the Forestry Department.

Tembo said the self-styled man of God is answering charges contrary to Section 64(C) of the Forestry Act, and that he would appear before court today [ Wednesday].

“It is an offence under Section 64(C) to reside, erect a building, hut, livestock enclosures or any structure in a forest reserve or protected area,” Tembo said.

Apparently, the preacher—unmarried, and formerly into video production business in South Africa before he returned home—erected makeshift huts with grass and plastic sheets at a place popularly known as ‘ku Chihema’ among his followers.

Immediately he was arrested, his followers who say he assists them on their various ailments, gathered at Mzuzu Police Station to give their spiritual leader moral support.

Though in custody, Madise told the press that God had not told him to leave the mountain yet.

“Although physically I am in custody but spiritually, I am still on Kaning’ina Mountain,” he said.

Earlier, Madise had also told the media that God had instructed him to leave his home in Nkhorongo Location and start living at the peak of the mountain.

He also said God instructed him to eat porridge only (soya or rice) once a day.

In 2020, officials from the department of forestry burned down his makeshift home and place of worship in an attempt to force him to leave the mountain.

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