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Prophet Magaya

Loveness Bepete and Molline Gagare Chronicle Reporters
HUNDREDS of people were yesterday turned away from Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya’s meeting at the Bulawayo City Hall after they failed to pay $20 to attend a fund-raising event.Members of his security team barred those who did not have what they referred to as “partnership cards” from gaining entry. The “partnership” is used to raise money for Magaya’s Yadah TV, which broadcasts his sermons across Africa.

Annoyed congregants became hostile as more than 15 police officers tried to restore order.

“If you don’t have money to purchase the partnership card just leave this place now!,” shouted a member of the PHD security team. “It’s of no use for you people to crowd the place when you aren’t members and worse you don’t have money to join.”

A large group of Magaya followers, numbering a few hundred people, insisted that they had not been told they would need to pay. They eventually sat themselves outside the City Hall, waiting for the preacher to finish his programme inside the hall and meet them.

“This service is actually meant for those who support the vision of the prophet. If you watch Yadah TV, then you would                               know that the money is used to take care  of the underprivileged and day-to-day running of the church,” one PHD security guard told a woman turned away at the door.

A weeping Magaya follower, Duduzile Sibanda, told The Chronicle that she was having difficulties in conceiving but failed to see the prophet as she could not afford to pay the $20.

“I’m just stranded and don’t know what to do. I came here declaring an end to my problems but now my spirit is down. I wish I had been aware that I was supposed to bring $20 dollars,” Sibanda said.

The Chronicle was denied entry into the hall.

Last year, 11 people died during a stampede at Mbizo Stadium in Kwekwe as an estimated 30,000 people attempted to leave the venue.

Prophet Magaya’s visit to Bulawayo came two days after Eagle Life Assembly leader Prophet Blessing Chiza held a “mega anointing service” on Sunday at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

A majority of the people at the service failed to get his “anointing oil” as they could not pay the $10 price.