Mugabe's Zanu-PF ally visits Prophet TB Joshua

by Staff reporter

2012 May 14 13:36:28 | 7515 Views

One of President Robert Mugabe's closest ministers, Christopher Mushowe, yesterday made a surprise appearance at Nigerian televangelist Temitope Balogun Joshua (TB Joshua)'s Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan)'s Sunday service, despite his party's recent spirited criticism of the Nigerian church leader.

Mushowe, who is Manicaland Provincial Governor and Resident Minister and executive director of the Presidential Scholarship Fund, and his wife, appeared on TB Joshua's Emmanuel TV live broadcast sitting at the front row, normally reserved for VIPs.

It could not be established whether Mushowe had gone to Nigeria in his personal capacity or on a Zanu PF mission.

Mushowe's visit to Nigeria came amid claims by former Zanu PF women's league bigwig Tracey Mutinhiri that Vice-President Joice Mujuru's office had invited TB Joshua to visit Zimbabwe.

Zanu PF spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, yesterday expressed disbelief that Mushowe had attended TB Joshua's service.

Mushowe's visit to the Nigerian prophet comes amid heightened efforts by senior Zanu PF members to block the church leader from visiting Zimbabwe this month-end.

Zanu-PF politburo member Jonathan Moyo recently labelled TB Joshua a "false prophet" and accused him of meddling in the continent's political affairs through his prophesies. Local church leaders aligned to Zanu PF have also joined in the bandwagon.

Mushowe was seen taking down notes during TB Joshua's live broadcast sermon beamed on Emmanuel TV yesterday morning. The Zanu PF official was seated next to his wife.

The sermon was entitled: "The day will declare who is right and who is wrong".

Other senior government officials who have visited the Nigerian prophet include Mutinhiri, Tsvangirai, Home Affairs co-minister Theresa Makone (MDC-T) and ex-Cabinet member Oppah Muchinguri (Zanu PF).

Mushowe's visit to TB Joshua's Scoan headquarters also comes amidst conflicting statements over who invited the prophet to attend the National Day of Prayer scheduled for May 25.

Prophet

Source: NewsDay