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Legal battle over TB Joshua picture in Zimbabwe
4 hrs ago |
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The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) has initiated legal proceedings to stop the use of its late founder TB Joshua's image on billboards advertising an upcoming crusade in Zimbabwe.
The dispute centres on promotional material erected in Harare and Gweru by Roadmap to Jesus International Ministries, which features preacher Prophet Godstime Adah alongside a photograph of the late Nigerian televangelist.
SCOAN coordinator Violet Masuku said neither she nor the church's headquarters had been consulted before the billboards were put up.
"As the SCOAN coordinator, I was not informed about this billboard," Masuku said, adding that the church's leadership was also unaware of the advertisements.
According to Masuku, SCOAN raised its concerns directly with the event organisers but the discussions failed to produce a resolution.
She alleged that a representative of the organisers became angry during the engagement, leading to a breakdown in negotiations.
"As a result of the impasse, SCOAN is proceeding with legal action," she said.
Masuku emphasised that the church is not opposed to the planned crusade itself but objects to the use of TB Joshua's image without authorisation.
"Our concern is the use of Prophet TB Joshua's photograph. We are simply calling on the organisers to remove the image," she said.
The controversy comes as preparations for the crusade gather momentum, with some members of the public reportedly registering for prayer sessions linked to the event at a local school in Harare.
Reports indicate that one-on-one prayer sessions are being offered at a cost of US$300 for couples, while single participants are reportedly being charged half that amount.
The development has sparked debate among followers and church observers, with attention now turning to the courts as SCOAN seeks to protect the legacy and image rights associated with its late founder, TB Joshua.
The legal challenge could determine whether the promotional material remains in place ahead of the scheduled crusade.
The dispute centres on promotional material erected in Harare and Gweru by Roadmap to Jesus International Ministries, which features preacher Prophet Godstime Adah alongside a photograph of the late Nigerian televangelist.
SCOAN coordinator Violet Masuku said neither she nor the church's headquarters had been consulted before the billboards were put up.
"As the SCOAN coordinator, I was not informed about this billboard," Masuku said, adding that the church's leadership was also unaware of the advertisements.
According to Masuku, SCOAN raised its concerns directly with the event organisers but the discussions failed to produce a resolution.
She alleged that a representative of the organisers became angry during the engagement, leading to a breakdown in negotiations.
Masuku emphasised that the church is not opposed to the planned crusade itself but objects to the use of TB Joshua's image without authorisation.
"Our concern is the use of Prophet TB Joshua's photograph. We are simply calling on the organisers to remove the image," she said.
The controversy comes as preparations for the crusade gather momentum, with some members of the public reportedly registering for prayer sessions linked to the event at a local school in Harare.
Reports indicate that one-on-one prayer sessions are being offered at a cost of US$300 for couples, while single participants are reportedly being charged half that amount.
The development has sparked debate among followers and church observers, with attention now turning to the courts as SCOAN seeks to protect the legacy and image rights associated with its late founder, TB Joshua.
The legal challenge could determine whether the promotional material remains in place ahead of the scheduled crusade.
Source - H-Metro
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