By Tichaona Sibanda
Nigerian church leader Temitope Balogun (TB) Joshua’s plans to construct a multi-million dollar project to cater for over 2,000 orphans in Ruwa is reportedly being blocked by Zanu PF.
Newsday reported this on Wednesday, quoting Ruwa Town Council chairperson Pinias Mushayavanhu confirming the delay by the Ministry of Local Government to approve the project. The project involves TB Joshua building a community for orphans with houses, clinics, schools and a church, to also benefit all residents in Ruwa.
Mushayavanhu indicated that the TB Joshua’s church wanted to sponsor the children until university education, something that has never happened in Zimbabwe.
Commentators told SW Radio Africa that Zanu PF’s lack of interest in the Nigerian prophet’s project could be linked to his prophecies that many believe may have been directed towards Robert Mugabe.
Two months ago he made a prophecy that an old African President would fall critically ill and be hospitalised. This prophecy did not go down well with ZANU PF, given Mugabe’s health and the surrounding speculation.
In February this year TB Joshua made his famous prophecy that an African leader would die within 60 days. Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika died of a heart attack not long after the prophecy.
In May pro-ZANU PF church leaders were invited onto state television to claim that TB Joshua was not welcome in the country and that his teachings were ‘judgmental, partisan and unorthodox.’
Vice President Joice Mujuru later joined in, indirectly attacking TB Joshua by warning Zimbabweans during a National Day of Prayer that they should be wary of fake prophets who are turning churches into money-making ventures.
Mujuru said local religious groups should not allow foreign pastors and political leaders to dictate the way they should worship. SW Radio Africa
