Bulawayo church hoodwink followers using minister Obert Mpofu's name

A Bulawayo based Pentecostal church, Harvest House International tricked hundreds of its followers into believing that mines and mining development minister Obert Mpofu would be a guest speaker at its conference.

The church had a meeting dubbed "One Weekend in Africa" and Mpofu, according to flyers from the church was set to give a key note address.

Mpofu did not show up and conference organiser Pastor Zwelithini Moyo told the gathering that Mpofu is now busy on "other government programmes".

But Mpofu denied ever being invited by the church.

"They did not invite me, I do not know anything about the function" said Mpofu. But an embarrassed Pastor Moyo attempted to cover up.

"Did you come for the programme….if not then you came for Mpofu and not for our programme" said Pastor Moyo.

According to the glossy flyer, the church had lined up Pastor N Mhlanga, Pastor T Mafoti, Pastor Z Moyo, Pastor S Chiriseri and Mpofu as guest speakers.

Under Mpofu's names the church said " Dr Obert Moses Mpofu is prominent Zimbabwean politician from Matabeleland region. He is a member of the Zanu-PF politburo….he has business interest in real estate and agriculture,"

The invitation note said the celebration will run with the theme "Transforming Darkness into Destiny".