"It Was Just a Parable": Prophet Mellontik Rapidly Backtracks on National Sports Stadium Gold Claims Following Police Threats
Written By: Local News Desk | Published: October 15, 2026 | 4 min read
Following an intense national uproar and a stern threat of arrest from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), controversial religious figure Prophet Orasi Mellontik (real name Obey Tichafa Mukanhairi) has dramatically walked back his viral claims that massive gold deposits lie beneath the National Sports Stadium and Warren Hills Cemetery.
Just a day after challenging geologists to "prove him wrong" regarding the existence of gold 15 metres below the stadium, his ministry released an official press statement claiming the entire narrative was simply a "parable" meant to encourage Zimbabweans about the country's mineral wealth. The rapid U-turn comes after authorities warned that his reckless posts could trigger a disastrous and destructive illegal gold rush in the capital.
The Official Retraction
On Thursday morning, the office of Mellontik Orasi Ministries International released a press statement titled "Clarification and Apology on a Misquoted Parable." In the document, Mukanhairi completely abandoned his previous literal claims regarding the specific locations of the gold fields.
"The Prophet did not say, and did not mean to suggest, that there are minerals or anything else beneath the National Sports Stadium, or under any other specific national site. Any reading that points to a particular place takes the parable too literally and goes beyond what was intended."— Official Statement, Mellontik Orasi Ministries
Parable or Panic?
The public response to the apology has been highly skeptical. Critics are quick to point out that the original Facebook post did not read like a spiritual parable, but rather a direct, geographical challenge backed by specific measurements.
Analyzing the Narrative Shift
In his original post, Mukanhairi explicitly stated: "The national sports stadium sits on top of unidentified gold fields 15m below the surface, warren hills cemetery are all gold fields... Geologists survey prove me wrong."
His new statement completely contradicts this, reading: "The Prophet did not say... that there are minerals or anything else beneath the National Sports Stadium... Any reading that points to a particular place takes the parable too literally."
Why He Backpedaled
The rapid damage control follows immediate, severe interventions from law enforcement and religious leaders, who recognized the extreme danger of inciting illegal artisanal miners (makorokoza) to excavate critical infrastructure and sacred burial grounds.
Sona News Analysis
The "Parable" Pivot:
Prophet Mellontik’s swift retraction is a classic masterclass in crisis public relations. By rebranding a literal geographical claim as a spiritual "parable," his ministry expertly dodged the severe legal ramifications of the Cyber and Data Protection Act, which criminalizes the transmission of false data intending to cause harm. However, the pivot does little to repair his credibility among critical observers who clearly saw the original challenge directed at geologists.
The Weight of Digital Influence:
With over 1.3 million followers, Mukanhairi commands a massive audience. In a country where artisanal mining provides a lifeline for millions—often leading to tragic accidents and violent territorial disputes—words carry immense real-world weight. Claiming that literal gold sits just 15 metres beneath a 60,000-seat stadium was not just reckless; it was a spark waiting to ignite a powder keg.
A Victory for Swift Police Action:
This saga highlights the effectiveness of proactive policing. Commissioner Paul Nyathi’s rapid, unambiguous threat of arrest successfully neutralized the situation before illegal syndicates could mobilize around Warren Hills or the stadium. It serves as a firm reminder to social media influencers and self-styled prophets that digital clout-chasing cannot supersede national security.
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