MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai fell into a chair when Nigerian prophet Temitope Balogun (TB) Joshua laid hands on him, it emerged yesterday.
NJABULO NCUBE DEPUTY EDITOR
It is not the first time Tsvangirai has sought divine intervention from the Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan) in Lagos.
In a video which has gone viral on social networks, Tsvangirai is seen falling backward helplessly onto his chair as if in a trance when TB Joshua lays his hands on him.
Tsvangirai, who controversially lost to President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF, is battling fissures in the MDC-T in the wake of the electoral defeat.
Sunday’s sermon televised on Emmanuel Television and delivered by Wiseman Racine, was on tribulations of the biblical Joseph and Daniel who prevailed to become prime ministers in their captors’ land.
TB Joshua’s followers in Zimbabwe yesterday said it was unlikely the sermon was dedicated to Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai’s spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka told Southern Eye yesterday that it was not the first time for Tsvangirai to visit Scoan.
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“It is certainly not the first time. He has been there several times and I don’t think it is going to be the last,” Tamborinyoka said.
Tsvangirai’s visit to TB Joshua generated huge interest from Emmanuel TV friends in Bulawayo and also elicited mixed reactions from social networks with some people denouncing him while others praised him for seeking divine intervention.
Others speculated that Tsvangirai had gone to Nigeria to seek strength from God to revive his floundering political career after his controversial defeat by Mugabe and fissures emerging in the MDC-T.
“Why go to Nigeria when in Zimbabwe alone we have over 20 000 prophets?
“President (Mugabe) works with local prophets, but Tsvangison always thinks anything foreign is good, no wonder he bootlicks whites,” one comment read.
One reader posted that it shows Tsvangirai is a God-fearing leader.
“Very good, Mr Tsvangirai, TB Joshua is the man. There is nothing sinister about visiting the man of God. Keep it up, Mr Tsvangirai.
“Let’s hope the church will send or distribute a proper, clear and undoctored video showing Tsvangirai being felled by the prayer power instead of electoral defeat shock.
“I just hope this falling stunt does not embarrass him because I only see it as serving to enhance TB Joshua’s church,” posted one reader.
Tsvangirai has been increasingly under pressure to relinquish his post as MDC-T president as some senior party members blame him for the July 31 poll defeat. – Additional reporting by ENCA
