Audio By Carbonatix
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.
Latest Stories
-
We’re finalising new Labour Law to protect every worker in the gig economy and beyond – Mahama
7 minutes -
Mali at the Crossroads: Sovereignty without Stability?
15 minutes -
Watch how the Bank of Ghana recorded a GH¢15.6 billion loss in 2025, its 2nd largest loss since 2008
22 minutes -
Mahama announces Independent Emoluments Commission to overhaul public sector pay and pension review
28 minutes -
Economic stability only foundational, the real task is to build a better life for our people – Prez Mahama
32 minutes -
May Day: We’re almost at crisis level on jobs – Organised Labour tells gov’t
50 minutes -
Decent jobs for youth remain priority under Reset Ghana Agenda – Mahama
54 minutes -
Prof Humphrey Danso urges focus on applied research to tackle national challenges
55 minutes -
We’re turning stability into opportunity – Mahama on Ghana’s economic reset
57 minutes -
Dr Patrick Essien promotes TVET as key to jobs and industrial growth at Mampong career programme
1 hour -
Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam fully operational, engineers have restored all six turbines – Mahama
1 hour -
HSWU Women’s Committee urges government to regularise casual health workers
1 hour -
BoG’s losses worse than reported despite gold sales – Amin Adam
2 hours -
HSWU Women’s Committee observes May Day with visually impaired children
2 hours -
May Day: Galamsey remains a menace and must stop now – TUC Chairman warns
2 hours