By Angella Semu
GABORONE-(MaraviPost)-Enlightened Christian Gathering international church, under Prophet Shepard Bushiri remains banned from carrying out any church activity in Botswana.
This has come in following a communication that was made to the church on 12th March, 2018 through the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender affairs.
The church sought intervention from court which was turned down according to MAHGB – 000526-18 documents that were issued on 3rd July, 2019 when the court ordered the church to withdraw it’s application.
In a recent savingram from Botswana commissioner of police dated November 11, 2019, the commission observed that the church continues carrying out it’s activities after the de-registration orders by the Register of societies.
The commission therefore sought to intervene to ensure that all branches of the church are rooted and no church activity under ECG is carried out throughout the country since the de-registration orders still stands.
However, ECG on November 14, 2019 informed its members that the church was doing all necessary measures to re-register.
In a statement made available to the Maravi Post issued by ECG International Communication Office: Ephraim Nyondo, Head of Communications Maynard Manyowa, External Media Relations Manager Terrance Baloyi: Head of Legal and Compliance acknowledged anomalies on initial registration of the church in Botswana.
The ECG statement reads below:
The Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) International would like to update its member, followers and the general public on the continued suspension of services in all ECG Botswana branches due to re-registration process currently underway.
You would recall that on the 3rd of July 2019, ECG Botswana was instructed by ECG International headquarters to withdraw all court action related appeals regarding the de-registration of ECG church in the Republic of Botswana sometime in March 2018.
The reason for this was that, the leader of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri Ministries International, Prophet Shepherd Bushiri was still under a visa restriction, as such, he had challenges to travel to Botswana to be part of compliance processes that were underway.
As you are aware, the restriction was recently lifted, largely thanks to the new government of Botswana which has shown a strong commitment to respecting freedoms of religion, assembly and movement.
The new administration in Botswana inspires confidence in us and we believe that they are fair and just and are willing to help push the agenda of a truly Christian nation.
As such, directors of ECG International—namely Apostle Misheck and Apostle Nkomo—have since instructed the ECG leadership in Botswana to restart processes to bring the church into registrative compliance.
These actions may include submission of annual returns, court appeals, and lobbying. Hence, the indefinite suspension of services to allow the finalization registration processes to satisfy every compliance expectation.
The directors and national leadership in Botswana are working tirelessly to complete the processes as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, congregants are still encouraged to travel to South Africa for services and additional plans are in place to accommodate even bigger numbers.
Prospects indicate that the church will, without doubt, be allowed to operate within the next few weeks with the Prophet scheduled to visit the country.
God is still speaking today!
