As Nigerian authorities investigate the cause of a building collapse in which 67 South Africans died in Lagos, a local author has described the Synagogue Church of all Nations and “Prophet” TB Joshua as one of Africa’s most influential men, who tried to bribe him during an interview. The collapse occurred on Friday when three extra stories were being added to the existing two of a guest house of the church compound, where visitors from abroad flock to stay.
So far, 80 people have been confirmed dead. In a shock announcement on Tuesday night, President Jacob Zuma disclosed that 67 South Africans had died in the tragedy. The Lagos Pentacostal church attracts a global following of Christians who believe Joshua is able to perform miracles including curing the ill and raising the dead from the grave. There are mounting calls for someone to be held responsible for the deaths and all eyes are now on Joshua.
But the charismatic preacher insists the collapse was the result of a planned attack on him. Jacques Pauw, author of Profit of Doom, an expose on Joshua’s church, says the preacher tried to bribe his entire television crew. “He obviously realised that it was going to be bad publicity for him and then he handed an envelope full of $100 notes to me and the sound person. We told him we couldn’t accept it and he said it was a gift from God.”
The regular influx of visitors from abroad for the church’s services, which can last up to a week, creates demand for accommodation that the church’s own guest house has been unable to meet, and often spills over into local hotels. Several African leaders have traveled to Nigeria to meet with spiritual “healer” Joshua, including former Malawian President Joyce Banda and Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema
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