Botswana has shut down the church of a controversial Malawian self-styled prophet, who claimed to walk on air.

The government confirmed the closure of Shepherd Bushiri's Enlightened Christian Gathering Church (ECG) in Gaborone, reportedly due to concerns over so-called "miracle money".

Malawi24 reports that the church has appealed against the decision, taken less than a year after he was in effect banned from entering the country.

He had been due to attend a conference.

However, Botswana minister Edwin Batshu announced in April 2017 that Mr Bushiri - who now lives in South Africa - would need a visa to enter, despite Malawians not usually needing one, according to AllAfrica.com.

The government has now announced that the church will be shut for good, with the Botswana Gazette obtaining a letter informing management the "registration" had been cancelled.

The newspaper further reports it was the church's use of "miracle money" - promises of money appearing as if by magic - which broke the country's laws.

Mr Bushiri - who has more than 2.3 million likes on Facebook and filled Johannesburg's FNB Stadium on New Year's Eve - and his church have yet to respond publicly.

The church leader is known as much for his lavish lifestyle as for his successful ministry, which stretches across Africa.

He came under fire last year after it emerged he was charging between 1,000 and 25,000 rand ($80-2,000; £60-1,500) to attend a gala dinner with him, South Africa's News24 reported.


http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42634112?ocid=socialflow_facebook

miracle money abi magic money?

That is good, and even better. It will improve the Reasoning of their people so they can make smarter choices.

Fraud can't be tolerated in the form of freedom of religion in 2018

Prosperity churches have done more harm than good to modern day Christianity. The Europeans brought Christianity to we Africans and by the time we Africans opened our eyes they have already robbed us of our senses, treasures and every good thing we possess before leaving only Bible for us. This is why most European countries have developed at an alarming rate and even exporting some of our raw materials they stole from us and converted into finished products to us.And what do we as Africans have as an exports? Bible, Mega churches miracles etc . We wallow in poverty yet some churches are spending #50billion,#20b,#3b etc to build auditorium yet their congregations don't have any tangible source of livelihood, no job,poverty at an alarming rate.
The so called Pastor Bushiri make lots of money from his program yet instead of helping his congregations,he spend it living lavishly same with other pastors.
May God help we Africans!!

Spylord48:
Prosperity churches have done more harm than good to modern day Christianity. The Europeans brought Christianity to we Africans and by the time we Africans opened our eyes they have already robbed us of our senses, treasures and every good thing we possess before leaving only Bible for us. This is why most European countries have developed at an alarming rate and even exporting some of our raw materials they stole from us and converted into finished products to us.And what do we as Africans have as an exports? Bible, Mega churches miracles etc . We wallow in poverty yet some churches are spending #50billion,#20b,#3b etc to build auditorium yet their congregations don't have any tangible source of livelihood, no job,poverty at an alarming rate.
The so called Pastor Bushiri make lots of money from his program yet instead of helping his congregations,he spend it living lavishly same with other pastors.
May God help we Africans!!

Truely speaking, most of this church is quite difference from the one brought by the white man.

Good decision. The govt should not fold it's hands and watch scammers operate unhindered.

Just like our own govt stepped in to try and save MMM victims from their own st-upidity,though many resisted sound advice. You will also see brainwashed morons arriving to condemn this wise move.