Botswana has shut down the church of a controversial Malawian self-styled prophet, who claimed to walk on air.
The government confirmed the closure of Shepherd Bushiri’s Enlightened Christian Gathering Church (ECG) in Gaborone, reportedly due to concerns over so-called “miracle money”.
Malawi24 reports that the church has appealed against the decision, taken less than a year after he was in effect banned from entering the country.
He had been due to attend a conference.
However, Botswana minister Edwin Batshu announced in April 2017 that Mr Bushiri – who now lives in South Africa – would need a visa to enter, despite Malawians not usually needing one, according to AllAfrica.com.
The government has now announced that the church will be shut for good, with the Botswana Gazette obtaining a letter informing management the “registration” had been cancelled.
The newspaper further reports it was the church’s use of “miracle money” – promises of money appearing as if by magic – which broke the country’s laws.
Mr Bushiri – who has more than 2.3 million likes on Facebook and filled Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on New Year’s Eve – and his church have yet to respond publicly.
The church leader is known as much for his lavish lifestyle as for his successful ministry, which stretches across Africa.
He came under fire last year after it emerged he was charging between 1,000 and 25,000 rand ($80-2,000; £60-1,500) to attend a gala dinner with him, South Africa’s News24 reported.
Source: bbc
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
This is a sign of a serious country. Not in Ghana where a pastor knowing very well his bank is collapsing ask congregants to make deposit into that bank for supernatural blessings. We thank God the bank collapsed. But God's punishment is awaiting not even heaven but on earth here for all to see how certain people are extorting money from their congregants.
People want rapid results and therefore resort to consulting such charlatans who portray themselves as Prophets infact they are fetish priests metamorphosed into men of God. He is a confidence trickster. On the other hand people must be intelligent and sensible to realise that hard work pays and there are no short cuts to success.
I WISH ALL AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS WILL FOLLOW WHAT BOTSWANA HAS DONE. BAN ALL THIS FAKE CHURCHES
Is this prophet more than Jesus Christ? Lord Jesus Christ never charged a dime for dining with all manners of people. Money makers are not from God; if indeed they claim to have that supper power why do they not make money for their governments?