Grass Pastor cancels Bulawayo tour over security issues

The South African based preacher famed for making his congregants eat grass, Pastor Lesego Daniel of Rabboni Centre Ministries who was expected in Bulawayo for a two day crusade has cancelled his trip citing security reasons.

The news of the cancellation of the trip will come as good news to Bulawayo residents who reacted angrily after he announced his Bulawayo trip, saying he was not welcome in the city.

The pastor from Pretoria courted controversy early this year when he told his church congregation to go and eat grass because ‘this is what God wants' them to do, after that he went on to stamp on them.

The pastor announced the cancellation of his trip on the church's Facebook page Rabboni Centre Ministries Wednesday morning.

"Kindly note the Zimbabwe trip has been cancelled due to security reasons. To God be the glory," read the post.

Daniel was initially scheduled to have church services in Bulawayo between 5 and 7 March at Amphitheatre.

Residents who spoke to Radio Dialogue said Pastor Daniel should not come to Bulawayo because he has the potential to hypnotise people into eating grass again.

According to a report in African Spotlight Pastor Daniel had his followers eating grass after explaining in a sermon that Jesus had many other disciples other than the 12 listed in the traditional Bible who were doing new things which were considered unconventional at the time as well.

Defending his actions in the media later, he said: "Okay the Bible teaches us one thing. The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk its a matter of power. Paul says the Holy Spirit will confirm everything that I say, you get it? So it's total demonstration of power nothing else but demonstration".