Pardoned serial rapist Madzibaba Godfrey Nzira of the Johane Masowe WeChishanu Apostolic Church has died. He was 58.

A family relative Madzibaba Simbiso Mhike told ZBC TV channel that Nzira passed away on Sunday evening after a long battle with hypertension and heart ailment.

Nzira began ministry in 1977 and is survived by three wives, seven children and two grandchildren. 
Mourners have gathered at his Johane Masowe Wechishanu Chitungwiza shrine.

Nzira, a known Zanu-PF loyalist, was released from prison in January this year on compassionate grounds after serving 15 years for raping seven women at his Seke, Chitungwiza  shrine. His health never improved after his release.

Madzibaba Nzira is known for his famous statement that President Robert Mugabe was a God-given leader and must rule for life.

His premature release from prison was widely believed to be a ploy to bolster Mugabe’s waning popularity ahead of Zimbabwe’s upcoming elections.

Seen as a demi-god by his legion of followers, Madzibaba Nzira was known for marshalling his followers to Zanu-PF functions including the burial of heroes at the National Shrine.