–– Joe Shoko

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

When self-styled ‘prophets’ don’t spend time reading and preaching from the holy Word of God, they will begin to look for ways to continue keeping their followers hooked.  These cleverly devised schemes would compete with any of the soap operas on television.

Emmanuel Makandiwa of United Family International Church, who has an insatiable craving for media attention was back at it again, this time with a more bizarre challenge. In recent years this blasphemous man has uttered statements like, “I am more gifted than God” and “If you go to heaven and do not find me there you have gone to hell”, yet his followers and his adherents continue to applaud in amusement and support.

Makandiwa is one of the most influential men in Zimbabwe. The services that he holds every Sunday are filled to capacity and that does not show any signs of slowing down. The auditorium can accommodate 10,000 people. This means that 10,000 souls are flocking to hear blasphemy week in and week out.