Knives out for Prophet Chiza as fans lose thousands in bets

Bulawayo residents have declared war of Prophet Blessing Chiza who made a false prediction on the outcome of the CHAN semi-final match between Zimbabwe and Libya.

Hundreds of soccer fans took to betting on the outcome basing on Chiza's prediction that Zimbabwe would win the match on a 3 nil score line.

The warriors failed to find the back of the net in 120 minutes of open play that they dominated.

They capped a tale of missed chances by bowing out to their less fancied opponents 5-4 on penalties.

Scores of warriors' supporters told this reporter they lost heavily to betting syndicates in the city.

Disgruntled fans did not mince their words after the final whistle was blown.

 "I want to meet this charlatan and he shall give me back the $100 that I lost because of his lies. I never believed in him in the first place but I took the plunge after the Press claimed he had correctly predicted the 2-1 quarter-final score with Mali. I had promised myself I would stop drinking beer and go to his church if he got this one correct," said an angry fan.

Another fan said the government needed to protect citizens from the scourge of Pentecostal prophets that was sweeping across the country.

"They are the pestilence that the bible often refers to and they milk money from congregants. The government should step in to protect citizens," said another fan who identified himself as Mbuyazwe.

Some fans said a fitting end to the "false prophets" would be obliteration by lightning and thunder.

"I fail to find words to express my anger at this guy. Some new words need to be created because all that I know of cannot describe the anger I feel right now. A true prophet from God would not have cause this much pain and disappointment to so much people. A lightning bolt amid rumbling thunder would be the best end to him and his kind, the Uebert Angels and the Makandiwas of this world," fumed Bernard Dube of Cowdray Park.

Dube said he was consoled by the fact that Chiza stuck his neck out and had his head chopped off, before he could mislead many into believing he was sent by God.

Efforts to get a comment from the prophet were unsuccessful as he could not be reached on his mobile phone.

Prophet Chiza is leader of the Bulawayo headquartered Faith in God (FIG) Eagle Life Assembly.