News / National
Zimbabwe TB Joshua pilgrims escaped unharmed
19 Sep 2014 at 07:23hrs | Views
SEVERAL Zimbabweans that visited Temitope Balogun "TB" Joshua last week, including a Bulawayo businessman who runs a popular drinking spot, escaped unharmed when a guest house at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan) collapsed last Friday claiming the lives of over 70 people, an associate of the church has said.
As more bodies continue being retrieved from under the rubble of the six-storey building, some of the Zimbabweans that had gone to consult the popular prophet are expected to fly back into the country on Sunday.
A statement posted on the SCOAN's official Facebook page contained condolence messages and reassurances of the church's commitment to ensuring survivors get adequate care.
In addition, the statement also emphasised the church authorities' conviction that "attackers" were behind the building collapse and that " . . . in due course, God will reveal the perpetrators of this unfortunate tragedy".
MDC-T legislator Ruth Labode, who is a partner of SCOAN and Emmanuel TV in Zimbabwe, yesterday said there were a number of Zimbabweans in Nigeria at the time of the tragedy, but none were harmed.
TB Joshua has a large following in Zimbabwe.
Labode, however, said she does not organise any trips to the Nigerian prophet.
"I am a partner and not representative. I don't organise trips to Scoan," she said. "Yes, Zimbabweans were there and were not affected. The fact that they will arrive here on Sunday tells you that they were not affected."
Many of the victims are believed to be South Africans.
On Tuesday, South African President Jacob Zuma said at least 67 of his compatriots had died in the accident, which he described as one of the worst tragedies in his country's recent history.
Prominent Zimbabweans known to have sought healing from Scoan include former prime minister and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi, Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Chris Mushohwe and Zifa boss Cuthbert Dube.
As more bodies continue being retrieved from under the rubble of the six-storey building, some of the Zimbabweans that had gone to consult the popular prophet are expected to fly back into the country on Sunday.
A statement posted on the SCOAN's official Facebook page contained condolence messages and reassurances of the church's commitment to ensuring survivors get adequate care.
In addition, the statement also emphasised the church authorities' conviction that "attackers" were behind the building collapse and that " . . . in due course, God will reveal the perpetrators of this unfortunate tragedy".
MDC-T legislator Ruth Labode, who is a partner of SCOAN and Emmanuel TV in Zimbabwe, yesterday said there were a number of Zimbabweans in Nigeria at the time of the tragedy, but none were harmed.
Labode, however, said she does not organise any trips to the Nigerian prophet.
"I am a partner and not representative. I don't organise trips to Scoan," she said. "Yes, Zimbabweans were there and were not affected. The fact that they will arrive here on Sunday tells you that they were not affected."
Many of the victims are believed to be South Africans.
On Tuesday, South African President Jacob Zuma said at least 67 of his compatriots had died in the accident, which he described as one of the worst tragedies in his country's recent history.
Prominent Zimbabweans known to have sought healing from Scoan include former prime minister and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi, Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Chris Mushohwe and Zifa boss Cuthbert Dube.
Source - Southern Eye
