The much publicised December 31 2020 Crossover Night Service by ‘on-the-run’ Prophet Shepherd Bushiri will not be held at the Bingu National Stadium (BNS) as the facility’s managers have reversed the decision.
In view of the development Bushiri’s spokesperson Ephraim Nyondo, who doubles as Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Church head of communications, has appealed for calm among ECG followers as they were trying to look into the matter.
Acting BNS manager Ambilike Mwaungulu, in a letter addressed to Nyondo, advises that after further consultations with relevant authorities, they are not able to host the event.
He says despite communication that the number to attend will be reduced, the event was most likely going to attract people beyond even its capacity of the facility. Mwaungulu fears this was going to contravene the Covid-19 preventive measures.
“The stadium will be undergoing maintenance in preparation for CAF inspection which will happen in early January 2021.
“At the time of CAF inspection management may not have enough time to restore the stadium to its normal status due to anticipated damages and losses during your function,” reads the letter in part.
Posting on his Facebook page, Nyondo confirmed receipt of the letter about the cancellation “of hosting our Miracle Night Crossover on December 31 2020”.
He said the church’s administration was taking necessary steps to address the situation.
In mid-November, Bushiri and his wife Mary escaped from South Africa mid-November where they are facing fraud and money-laundering charges. They jumped bail and made their way to Malawi.
The South African government has since applied to Malawi for extradition of the two. The matters are being contested in court.
Back home, Malawi Police arrested Bushiri and his wife in Lilongwe, but when they were taken to court, principal resident magistrate Viva Nyimba released them unconditionally, arguing their arrest was unlawful.
