Bushiri’s followers in Botswana unfazed

Shepherd Bushiri of Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), popularly known as Major One, has a strong support system in Botswana. As Major One’s church in Pretoria, South Africa faces uncertainty, his Botswana followers are adamant that nothing can move them when it comes to him. The church’s planned grand opening service in South Africa, the first service of 2019 which had been scheduled for Sunday - was postponed to an unannounced date in the future. This is after three women were killed in a stampede at the ECG church during a service on December 28. Nine other congregants were injured as they ran for shelter during a heavy rainstorm. The dead women were identified as Patricia Pringane, Matshila Sarah Mohlala and Lehlogahlo Maria Segodi. Pastor Baeng Pelotshweu, General Secretary and National Coordinator of the church in Botswana told The Midweek Sun this week that they are safe and sound in Botswana. “All our 56 branches are fully operational and they have already submitted their last Sunday reports to the head office in Gaborone,” he said, explaining that the prophet had announced that all church branches should start their 2019 services on January 20. Pelotshweu said that no one has come to them threatening to close down their churches, stating they are complying in Botswana. In the aftermath of the tragedy in Pretoria, the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) led protests at ECG, with community members calling for the church to be expelled from the Pretoria showgrounds forthwith. Last Sunday, ECG spokesperson Maynard Manyowa told SA media that the highly popular church would open its doors “when we are ready” and that the church, had from Sunday declared seven days of prayer and fasting. “When we are ready we will open. The rest regarding everything is being handled by CRL commission,” the church said in a brief response. In Botswana, Pastor Pelotshweu’s take is that Major One is under attack because churches are losing members to his. “It’s just individuals, pressure groups, especially other churches that are losing members to him. These big numbers coming to Major One were once members somewhere else. People dying is not an issue. Even here in Botswana, there have been incidents during gatherings where people lost their lives,” he said, adding that ECG crisis is also fueled by xenophobic behavior in SA. The leader also said that they will always defend their prophet. “Just like Elisha who followed Elijah, we have no doubt that Major One is a prophet of the Most High God. We are his stewards. We don’t listen to any stories about him, and we don’t care what he has done or what people say. We will always protect and defend him. We care about him and the God he serves and we’re not ashamed to defend him,” he said.