The Sunday Mail
Religion Writer —
THE increasing bizarre incidents in the church have left many wondering if it’s a case of power hungry men of cloth, gullible congregants or a combination of both.
In recent years, the media has been awash with stories of prophets who have been leading their congregants into weird acts in pursuit of miracles. A fortnight ago, a South African pastor used insect-killing spray — Doom — on a female congregant for “healing”.
“We can use anything that you believe to heal people,” the prophet, Lethebo Rabalago said to Timeslive.
Last year, another prophet fed his congregants live snakes in an attempt to test their faith.
Two years ago, a prophet from across the Limpopo made people eat grass and drink petrol. Congregants claimed the petrol had been turned into apple juice.
In March this year, a local prophet, Paul Sanyangore claimed to have walked on water. Photographs and a video of him performing this stunt circulated on social media.
Last year, Prophet Sanyangore also prayed for condoms brought by a church member who had reunited with her estranged husband and needed affirmation on whether to use them or not.
This caused a stampede for the product from fellow female congregants as they regarded them as anointed after the prophet’s prayer.
A few months earlier, Prophet Sham Hungwe had caused a stir after selling anointed pens that were supposedly meant to assist students who were about to sit for their end of year examinations.
He pulled another shocker when he sold anointed soil to congregants during a church service. The price of the soil ranged from $5 to $25.
In June this year, Prophet Lazarus Mashavave prayed for alcoholics and drug addicts as a way to demonstrate his deliverance powers. Two months ago, Prophet Talent Madungwe claimed he met God thrice and announced that God would visit Zimbabwe.
Some have dished out anointed apples and roses, we could go on and on.
