Close to 3 000 people on Tuesday spent half the day waiting for Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya at Gafa Stadium in Gweru in anticipation of a healing crusade and address to other socioeconomic problems.
Stephen Chadenga OWN CORRESPONDENT
Gweru residents and other believers from neighbouring areas Shurugwi, Zvishavane and Lower Gweru started pouring in at the venue in Mtapa suburb at around 8am.
Magaya, only arrived at the sports ground at around 5pm, where he delivered a short prayer for about 10 minutes before promising the congregating he would be back.
The preacher, however, did not return and members of his church had to ask people to leave the grounds at 8pm after spraying anointing oil to the unimpressed multitudes.
Many people left the stadium disappointed, as they expected to be prayed for by the PHD leader.
“I came from as far as Lower Gweru expecting to be delivered by prophet Magaya, but my efforts were in vain,” Monalisa Dlodlo said.
“I have asthma and I thought I would have a date with the man of God (Magaya), but he only came later in the day for a few minutes and never returned.”
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When The Southern Eye crew arrived at the stadium on Tuesday mid-morning, scores of people were being ushered into the venue by PHD marshals.
By lunch, the crowd had swelled, with people enduring the scotching heat waiting for Magaya.
As early as 9am, PHD members were selling anointing oil, stickers, wristlets, caps, T-shirts and CDs for prices ranging between $1 and $15 depending on the items.
Constance Mariko from Ascot suburb in Gweru said she was disappointed, as she expected Magaya to deliver a healing and deliverance message.
An overseer with the church, Admire Mango, said Magaya had not announced that he would make a trip to Gweru.
“This was supposed to be a trip by the Yadah TV (PHD TV channel) crew to answer to enquiries by people on the operations of the church by meeting the Gweru cell group,” Mango said.
“It came as a surprise to us that a huge crowd was waiting for the prophet (Magaya).
“It appears some people spread the wrong message.
“But the prophet managed to pray for people all the same.”
