Makandiwa braces for mega-show despite claims by Ghanaian pastors

Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa's United Family International Church (UFIC), buoyed by its backing from government, says it will go ahead with the "Judgement Night" prayer session on April 19, despite claims by Ghanaian pastors that the popular preacher would have been arrested and his church closed down.

The pastors led by one Lawrence Ajoba have been quoted widely claiming that they had written an explosive letter to President Robert Mugabe arguing that Makandiwa was a fake prophet.

The pastors claim they are ready to travel to Harare to provide evidence that Makandiwa was actually using witchcraft sourced from a Ghanaian traditional healer to perform miracles.

The Ghanaians claim that they will also reveal to Mugabe what they call false prophesies by Makandiwa on the First Family.

At least 150 000, including foreigners, are expected to converge at the National Sports Stadium for the "Judgement Night" and UFIC officials yesterday insisted that they would not lose sleep over such empty threats to close down their church.

But the Ghanaians were quoted in the media as saying: "We are coming to Zimbabwe, but first we want the Head of State to understand the nature of the person we are dealing with".

"We are not alone. They are actually a significant number of real Zimbabwean Men of God, who are in the background."

But Makandiwa and UFIC spokesperson Prime Kufa said they would not be distracted.

"We are going ahead with preparations and there is nothing to suggest that we will in any way cancel the mega-show.

"As for the people from Ghana who are coming up with their theories, we don't know what their problem is.

"They are claiming that the traditional healer who is giving Prophet Makandiwa powers to perform miracles stays in Ghana so they must deal with him first before coming here. We have nothing to do with their coming here.

"All we are interested in is the big day for Zimbabweans on April 19, where Prophet Makandiwa will deliver one of best ever sermons which will change the lives of Zimbabweans. We have been receiving amazing inquiries about the big day and that's what we are all focusing on.

"All logistics are being put in place for the record crowd expected at the National Sports Stadium. Forget about what these people are saying and as Prophet Makandiwa said ‘God has finally remembered our nation and remarkable things are going to happen after this. Zimbabwe has never experienced anything like it before.' This is what the nation should focus on, not these distractions," said Kufa.

Visitors are expected from South Africa, Malaysia, Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, Nigeria and many other parts of the world.

Kufa steadfastly refused to reveal what miracles Makandiwa would perform but insisted that "tremendous things are going to happen and the nation should be ready".

Already, people have started speculating about "the tremendous things" expected during "Judgement Night" with most followers saying that Makandiwa could make a prophecy that might change the country's political landscape.

"But others are speculating about economic fortunes turning around while others are predicting social changes to the country.

Only on Friday, government through Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, endorsed "Judgement Night" saying it greatly contributed to the promotion of religious tourism.

"We want it to happen peacefully because we see the values, the cultural values, that we want to promote amongst our people, the religious and spiritual values that this country needs so much going forward.

"They (UFIC) have been working together with ZTA for the last two-and-a-half weeks now and they will be driving costs down for the benefit of the arrival of the travellers because this event will move people domestically and internationally."