On November 21, 2018, an undated video clip circulated online showing Tanzanian gospel singer Rose Muhando at the centre of a dramatic prayer session with Pastor James Ng’ang’a of Neno Evangelism Center.
The footage appears to show Ng’ang’a summoning Muhando to the pulpit and praying over her in what was presented as an attempt to cast out demons. Muhando, whose right hand was bandaged, is then seen falling to the ground and rolling as the prayer continues.
During the scene, the singer appears to speak in a way that points back to her former manager, Alex Msama, and the troubles that have followed her in recent years. One line attributed to the “possessed” Muhando says: “Ni meneja wake alitutuma sisi, tukachukua gari zake zote, tukachukua vitu vyake vyote. Na sisi tumemtoa nyumbani sasa asirudi nyumbani, miezi mitatu sasa…”
Msama, who was credited with helping build Muhando’s music career before their fallout, had said the previous year that he would be willing to help her again if she changed her ways. He later parted ways with her after reports that she had fallen into drug use.
Tanzanian media also reported that Muhando sold four luxury cars to sustain her drug addiction. She was further accused of conning promoters by failing to turn up for gigs that had already been paid for.
Muhando later said her life was in danger and claimed she had begun receiving death threats. In May 2018, she told Nation that she was relocating to Kenya because she feared for her life.
The video added fresh attention to a singer whose public image had already been battered by scandal, addiction claims and a bitter split with the man who once managed her rise.
