'Pentecostal church leaders envious of Prophet Magaya'

Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) ministries founder, Walter Magaya on Saturday claimed he was being labelled a Satanist by other Pentecostal church leaders who are envious of the growth of his church.

Magaya, who is in South Africa for his second international crusade this year, told journalists that although there is no "bad blood" between him and United Families International Church (UFIC) leader, Emmanuel Makandiwa, most preachers who started their ministries earlier than him were not happy about his success.

Since his entrance into the prosperity gospel arena, Magaya has attracted a lot of criticism over his conduct and style of doing things.

Some allege he uses black magic to perform miracles, while others claim he stage-manages some of the alleged healings that take place at his church.

Just like Makandiwa and other pentecostal groups, Magaya focuses on performing miracles, healing the sick and casting out demons and this has attracted a lot of criticism among the traditional churches, who allege that the new crop of preachers use black magic obtained from Nigeria to perform miracles.

"Prophet Makandiwa is older than me, he started his ministry earlier than me, and he is probably more mature than me," he said.

"So I have nothing personal against him. He has not spoken ill of me and I have not done so as well.

"Yes, there is a silent war, especially with those that started earlier; they feel challenged at the rate at which we are growing."

Magaya said he started PHD in 2012 and the ministry was now big with massive followers. He said some PHD members had deserted other charismatic preachers.

"Obviously, there are those who feel challenged because people who used to go to their churches are now coming to us," he said.

"They are asking themselves what it is that we are doing which they are not doing right.

"I have recordings of some pastors who accuse me of being a Satanist, but I have just kept that to myself."

The preacher - who commands one of the largest followings in the country - said he hardly collaborated with other church leaders either for joint crusades or inviting them to his ministry as most of them hated him.

"I think they hate me, I think they feel like I have taken their membership, hence I have no close friend like a prophet or so," he said.

Magaya is among a crop of new prophets and runs a ministry that deals with healing, deliverance and prophecy, just like Makandiwa and other pentecostal churches.

Unlike Makandiwa who usually puts on suits and spends more time preaching, Magaya admitted that he could not be compared to the UFIC leader. He, however, said his style suited those who follow him.

"As they say, one's man meat is another man's poison. I have seen those who go to prophet Makandiwa's church dressed like him and I have also seen those who follow me doing the same," Magaya said.

Magaya, who is a father of two and has many "adopted" children, said his ministry does not depend on offerings and tithes made during the church services, but is bankrolled by hundreds of people who would have understood his vision, or who would have been healed and want to support the work of the ministry.