Prophet Makandiwa cancels 'Judgment Night'

Prominent preacher and United Family International Church (UFIC) leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa has cancelled the 2013 edition of his annual Easter programme dubbed Judgment Night that was set for Good Friday, citing the lack of a suitable venue.

The inaugural edition of Judgment Night last year was held at the National Sports Stadium where more than 120 000 Christians drawn from different countries converged.

Prophet Makandiwa told more than 20 000 people gathered at a UFIC Sunday morning service last week that the event could not be held at the same venue owing to new administration rules that could lead to chaos.

"The authorities of our usual venue, the National Sports Stadium, have refused us permission to use our chairs on the track around the pitch as we did last year," he said.

"Last year, we had more than 45 000 chairs there which were all occupied and where do we sit all those people if we are refused permission?" he asked.

Apart from the 45 000 seated on the chairs around the stadium, the terraces of the 60 000-seater stadium were packed while thousands of other people watched proceedings from outside.

"This is before we even take into consideration the new numbers which are most likely to turn up for this year's event," said Prophet Makandiwa.

"We have to see the potential chaos which will erupt as those outside try to force their way into the stadium and because of that, it is safe to call off this year's programme. I know most of you were now in the advanced stages of your departmental preparations and a lot of resources had already been put into the preparations, but we have no other option."

Last year, the church had to lay a rubber carpet on the track before arranging chairs to prevent damage.
The National Sports Stadium is managed by the Ministry of Public Works whose principal director, Retired Colonel Joseph Mhakayakora, said standard rules were laid down for UFIC.

"We manage the stadium on behalf of Zimbabweans and we do not discriminate against anyone because this is a State asset," he said.

"We have standing rules and regulations and charges which apply to everyone. In terms of sitting arrangements, the stadium is the terraces and not the track or the pitch." Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi said it was unfortunate that Judgment Night, which had become a domestic tourism attraction, was being cancelled.

"I am deeply concerned as a minister that our publicly proclaimed path on domestic tourism is being hindered by ministries that are supposed to facilitate," he said.

"This is a big event that has become good for our domestic tourism. There is a bigger picture in terms of the impact this day would have had on the economy in Harare."

Minister Mzembi said there was need to assess the impact of such an event before making decisions, adding that he would seek a solution to the matter.

"I wish such an event was taking place in Masvingo where we would provide the venue for free," he said.

"The UFIC brand is now too big and attracts people from all over the world." Among the prominent personalities who attended last year's edition were Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu, Minister Mzembi as well as several legislators from Zanu-PF and the MDC formations. Minister Shamu performed on stage with the Mahendere Brothers band.