Despite George Charamba’s best efforts, the real reasons behind President Robert Mugabe’s newly found interest in the Apostolic Faith, has been uncovered.

George Charamba, who was recruited into the CIO while still at the University of Zimbabwe and was sent by the President’s office to Harare Polytechnic to train as a "journalist", tried hard to provide a cover story. "Rugare Madzibaba!" President Mugabe addresses the Apostolic Faithful.  Pic: Zimeye

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has been addressing the Apostolic faithful, so what stops Mugabe from also seeking the support of the Apostolics who constitute a significant number of voters, said Charamba in his cover story.

But our source who is in the know said, the reason for Mugabe’s several visits to the Marange-based Apostolic faithful was to meet privately with Police Commissioner General, Augustine Chihuri, who is an elder of the said church – the aim being to difuse the tiff between Chihuri and Themba Mliswa.

A Zanu (PF) stalwart who is close to Mugabe and related to his trusted Cabinet collegue, Didymus Mutasa, Mliswa who has been charged with several counts or fraud and looting, was and is still proving to be embarrassing to Zanu (PF).

Mliswa has not only exposed how the so-called land reform was used to steal and farm equipment from former farmer, but also how all the same Zanu (PF) military cabal involved in illegal extraction of diamonds and political violence are profiteering from it in what has been called the the tip of the antheap.

So how could Mugabe arrange a meeting with Chihuri to resolve this small matter, without it looking like he had intervened in the dispute? This is how the trip to Marange, where Chihuri would also be, as a member of his church, was arranged.

A day or so after the meeting, Chihuri was quoted asking Mliswa to publicly apologise – which would presumably put an end to the prosecution.

After the initial charges, Mliswa denounced Chihuri and called him corrupt. When he was granted bail, some new charges were brought and he was re-arrested. So presumably if he keeps quite, the charges will be withdrawn and all will be well again in Shake-Shake House.

But the Minister of Home Affairs, Theresa Makone, has not wasted a minute taking advantage of the internal turbulence in Zanu PF. She has reminded all involved that once a case is brought to the courts, it is no longer a matter for the police, but for the Courts.

So we have probably not heard the end of this mini-saga which threatens to turn into a real one.