Residents stone a�?satanica�� church, force a�?closurea��

Nhlalwenhle Ncube
A COMMUNITY that has had enough of a church stoned it away.

Members of the controversial church operating from Bulawayoa��s Iminyela suburb, Messiah International Church of God, were forced to abandon their all night prayers after residents began throwing stones at them.

For some time the church has been accused by some residents of being a satanic cult.

This was partly because its Pastor Musa Nherero Khumalo a�?killeda�� congregants and resurrected them.

Pastor Nherero is no stranger to the Press. Last month he claimed to B Metro that he could change congregants into a�?carsa�? and drive them during his services.

But this past Saturday, the community had a way of elbowing the church from the area.

a�?Many people dona��t understand this church. Thata��s why it seems a group of people organised the attack,a�? said a source.

The attack was done in the absence of the pastor who on arrival found the church deserted with only a few people waiting for him.

This was a last ditch attempt to get rid of the church after a report made to the police did not yield results.

Pastor Nherero confirmed that his church was under threat.

a�?On Saturday we had an all night service and there are people who disturbed it.

a�?It is said they were throwing stones and when I got here around 12 midnight, some congregants had already left and light bulbs had been destroyed.

a�?We managed to catch one boy and despite being beaten by a junior pastor, he refused to mention his accomplices and we just released him,a�? he said.

It seems the rioters won. He will move to another area.

a�?Since that day some congregants stopped attending services and therefore we have decided to relocate as in Iminyela suburb, we are no longer safe,a�? said Pastor Nherero.