Cowdray Park Residents Abuzz After Money Changer Surrenders Monkey During Deliverance Session

BULAWAYO – Residents of Cowdray Park in Bulawayo have been left divided between disbelief, curiosity, and concern following claims that a local money changer surrendered a monkey during a church deliverance session after alleging that the animal had become a source of personal distress.

The incident reportedly occurred during a gathering led by religious leader Emmanuel Mutumwa, commonly known as Madzibaba Emmanuel Mutumwa, at a Johanne Masowe Yechishanu fellowship in Cowdray Park. According to witnesses, the man, who is known locally as an usiphatheleni in informal currency-trading circles, attended the service seeking spiritual assistance and counselling.

Witnesses alleged that during the gathering, the man confessed that he had obtained the monkey from a traditional healer and believed it had played a role in his financial success. According to congregants who attended the session, the man claimed he had accumulated houses, vehicles, and other assets during the period he possessed the animal. He allegedly told worshippers that the monkey had recently become a source of fear and anxiety, making demands that he found increasingly difficult to manage.

Several congregants said the man's account evolved during the course of the service.

"He first said it was just a pet, but later began sharing a different story," one witness claimed.

According to those present, Madzibaba Mutumwa challenged the man to bring the animal to the gathering if he was sincere about seeking help and deliverance.

Witnesses said the man later returned carrying a monkey, prompting astonishment among congregants.

"It was unbelievable to many people because we did not expect him to actually bring the animal," said another witness.

Some attendees further claimed that the monkey was dressed in a coat, a detail that quickly became a subject of discussion among congregants and local residents. The unusual development has since sparked widespread debate across Cowdray Park and on social media platforms.

Contacted for comment, Mutumwa confirmed that a man had attended the gathering seeking assistance for personal problems he associated with decisions made in pursuit of wealth.

"I can confirm that the man came seeking help because he said he was facing problems related to decisions he had made in pursuit of wealth," Mutumwa said.

The religious leader urged people to avoid seeking shortcuts to financial success.

"People should work hard, pray and pursue honest means of earning a living. There are no shortcuts to prosperity," he said.

The incident comes amid continuing public fascination with stories involving alleged spiritual practices, particularly those linked to wealth accumulation. The episode follows another widely discussed deliverance case in Cowdray Park involving claims surrounding an owl allegedly associated with a local businessman.

Those claims, like the latest allegations, have not been independently verified. Residents remain divided over the significance of the incident. Some view the confession as evidence supporting long-held cultural and spiritual beliefs, while others argue that such claims should be approached with caution and scepticism.

No independent evidence has been produced to verify the claims made during the deliverance session regarding the monkey's alleged role in the man's financial activities. While witnesses confirmed that a monkey was presented during the gathering, allegations concerning supernatural powers, wealth generation, or spiritual demands remain unsubstantiated. Nevertheless, the unusual episode has become one of the most talked-about stories in Cowdray Park, generating widespread discussion about faith, traditional beliefs, personal experiences, and the role of religious leaders in addressing such matters.

Cowdray Park monkey deliverance