A suspected bed-hopping pastor and founder of Gospel of the Kingdom Ministries reportedly hired thugs to eliminate two of his congregates for exposing him as a sexual pervert.

Thomas Makoni (28) of 2588 Mainway Meadows, Waterfalls, Harare, was not asked to plead to two counts of incitement to commit murder charges.

Makoni appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Renika Dzikiti who remanded him out of custody to July 27. The prosecutor, Mrs Ntombikayise Nleya said allegations against Makoni arose on June 5 this year when he hired his childhood friend Talent Nyakunengwa to kill two of his congregates accusing them of being the cause of his problems.

It is alleged that this was after Kudakwashe Elliot (27) and Afra Nhanhanga (40), both of Chitungwiza, had exposed his shenanigans with several women at his church.
Makoni allegedly went to Nyakunengwa’s house during the night where he narrated his story and plan.

The court heard that Makoni tasked Nyakunengwa with the elimination of Elliot by beating him to death. He offered $30 and a Samsung Vinovo cellphone as a reward.

But Nyakunengwa revealed the plot to Elliot. Nyakunengwa then went to Makoni’s church in bandages and told him that he had done the job during which he sustained his injuries.

Makoni paid Nyakunengwa as promised.

Two days later, Makoni approached Nyakunengwa and allegedly ordered him to kill Nhanhanga and all occupants in his house using a petrol bomb. Nyakunengwa alerted Nhanhanga.

Nhanhanga and Elliot later reported the matter to police.