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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
THOUSANDS of people from different parts of the country yesterday crossed the Plumtree Border Post on their way to attend a Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries crusade by Prophet Walter Magaya to be held in Botswana.

Border officials said over a thousand people travelling in buses and private cars had passed through the border yesterday to attend the PHD Ministries Botswana Crusade which will be held in Gaborone. At least 2,000 Magaya followers from Zimbabwe are expected to make the pilgrimage.

The crusade will run from July 2 to 4.

Magaya has emerged as one of Zimbabwe’s most sought after super rich preachers, with followers claiming he can perform miracles. His Sunday services are said to draw crowds of more than 20,000 people.

In an interview yesterday, a senior official in the PHD Ministry said buses had been organised to ferry people from different parts of the country.

“People are travelling from various parts of the country and the continent to attend the crusade in Gaborone. Buses are taking people from Harare, Gweru, Gwanda and various parts to Botswana. We’re also expecting buses from South Africa, Mozambique and other countries as well,” said the official.

“This is a huge crusade and we’re expecting deliverance and healing for many people. Just like the church’s name, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, people can expect a full package. The prophet has a huge following in a number of countries.”

The senior official said Prophet Magaya was expected to perform his deliverance work on July 3 and 4.

He said the crusade would be held at Batlokwa Development Trust Stadium, Tlokweng, in Gaborone from 4 to 9PM.

Regional immigration officer in charge of western region, Regies Munyaradzi, said by 1PM yesterday they had cleared about 15 buses which had an average of about 70 people. He said a number of small vehicles had also passed through enroute to Gaborone.

Munyaradzi told The Chronicle: “We’re expecting 25 buses carrying people who’re attending the PHD Ministries crusade to pass through. By lunch time we had already cleared about 15 buses and we’re waiting for the next batch.

“The first buses started arriving at around 9AM and it didn’t take us long to clear the buses because we were prepared. We’ve adequate manpower to handle the pressure that may arise when the second batch comes. Same applies when they’re returning to the country, we’ll serve them effectively.”

Some of the travellers who spoke to The Chronicle while waiting to be cleared at the Plumtree Border Post said they were prepared to travel hundreds of kilometres to get deliverance.

Kudzi Zimuto, who is from Harare, said he was delighted to be part of the congregation at this crusade.

“I’ve been to a number of crusades by Prophet Magaya and I’ve witnessed his great works. He’s really a man of God and I’m looking forward to receive deliverance and healing at this crusade,” he said.