TB Joshua could be opening church in Zimbabwe

There are reports that popular Nigerian prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua (TB Joshua) who recently prophesied the death of an old African president, could be opening a branch of his church in Zimbabwe.

TB Joshua's Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan) has sent proposals to the Ruwa Town Council (RTC) seeking to purchase land.

According to a notice published by RTC on Friday, the council intends to sell the church five hectares of land.

The notice which was inserted by the secretary of RTC reads: "Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 152 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) that Ruwa Town Council intends to sell its endowment portion of Fressness Farm measuring five  hectares to Synagogue Church of All Nations for construction of an orphanage and community centre," the notice says.

"Copies of the Ruwa Town Council resolution, detailed terms and conditions of the proposals will be open for inspection during business hours at the Ruwa Town Council offices."

TB Joshua is very popular in Africa and he is renowned for his miraculous healing sessions.

Scoan has published numerous videos claiming to document the healing of incurable disabilities and illnesses such as spinal cord injuries, HIV/Aids and cancer.

The prophet is also known for making accurate prophecies and he is said to have predicted the death of pop king Michael Jackson, the resignation of Pakistan's ex-president Pervez Musharraf and the rise of the current President of Ghana John Atta-Mills a few weeks before the events took place.

The controversial prophet also predicted the fall of Cote d'Ivoire dictator Laurent Gbagbo last year and recently he is said to have predicted Zambia's victory in the Africa Cup of Nations finals against Ghana.

Prophet Joshua sparked media interest in Zimbabwe after Zimbabwe Football Association president Cuthbert Dube went to his church for healing.

Dube, who was wheelchair-bound, is now able to walk.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is said to have visited the Scoan headquarters in Nigeria two years ago in search of spiritual guidance.

Former Marondera-Seke MP Tracy Mutinhiri and Zanu PF Politburo member and Women's League boss Oppah Muchinguri also visited Scoan the same year.

A growing number of African leaders have also been visiting prophet TB Joshua. The prophet has hosted several luminaries.

The late former Zambian President Frederick Chiluba visited Scoan while in power, as well as the late leader of Gabon, Omar Bongo.

Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, visited Scoan to testify to his daughter's healing from epilepsy.

Pascal Lissouba and André Kolimba, the former Presidents of Congo and Central African Republic respectively, are among other African leaders who have visited the church.

Last month, TB Joshua made a shocking prophecy on the death of "an old African president."

"I'm seeing a head of state, by that I mean a president. He is not feeling well. He is very old. What is this I'm seeing…sudden death. I'm seeing the death of an old African president in two months," he was quoted in online media reports.

In recent months, many people have been duped by fraudsters claiming to be Scoan representatives sent to set up a church in the country.

TB Joshua has denied ever sending people to represent the church in Zimbabwe.