PROPHETIC, Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) founder Walter Magaya said he had to destroy part of the precast wall at Botswana’s Batlokwa Development Trust Stadium last Thursday to avoid a possible stampede as congregants flocked to his international crusade.
By Own Staff
“The venue is too small and we had no option, but to destroy part of the walls of the stadium to avoid a stampede,” Magaya said.
“A number of people needed to be delivered and the space did not allow all to be inside. So to avoid chaos and a stampede we had to find solutions to deal with the problem, and the only possible solution was to destroy the walls which we did.”
In November last year, 11 people were left dead while 43 others were seriously injured at Mbizo Stadium in Kwekwe after a precast wall at the stadium succumbed to pressure and collapsed.
The stampede occurred after 30 000 congregants gathered in the 10 000-seater stadium and tried to force their way out through four small gates.
Meanwhile, two people disguised as PHD ushers were arrested and charged with theft after they were found collecting “cash offerings” from congregants.
“I have just been told that there are people who are moving around disguised as ushers and collecting offerings from you, they are thieves. The police and security team have arrested two people so far. This is a crusade and I am here to deliver people.
We are not taking offerings and I repeat we are not offering during the crusade. This crusade was made possible by the PHD partners who provided around P6m or $600 000 for all expenses and costs,” Magaya said.
The three-day crusade that was attended by PHD followers mainly from Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and some from Zimbabwe ended on a high note on Saturday at Limkokwing University where Magaya held a service with the ministry’s partners.
By Own Staff
“The venue is too small and we had no option, but to destroy part of the walls of the stadium to avoid a stampede,” Magaya said.
“A number of people needed to be delivered and the space did not allow all to be inside. So to avoid chaos and a stampede we had to find solutions to deal with the problem, and the only possible solution was to destroy the walls which we did.”
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| Prophet Walter Magaya destroys Botswana stadium’s walls. |
The stampede occurred after 30 000 congregants gathered in the 10 000-seater stadium and tried to force their way out through four small gates.
Meanwhile, two people disguised as PHD ushers were arrested and charged with theft after they were found collecting “cash offerings” from congregants.
“I have just been told that there are people who are moving around disguised as ushers and collecting offerings from you, they are thieves. The police and security team have arrested two people so far. This is a crusade and I am here to deliver people.
We are not taking offerings and I repeat we are not offering during the crusade. This crusade was made possible by the PHD partners who provided around P6m or $600 000 for all expenses and costs,” Magaya said.
The three-day crusade that was attended by PHD followers mainly from Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and some from Zimbabwe ended on a high note on Saturday at Limkokwing University where Magaya held a service with the ministry’s partners.
