IN THE PRESS

THE love of money is surely the root of all evil. Couple that with the love for fame and controversy and you have the perfect description for the typical 21st century cleric.

For the past decade or so, a new breed of preachers has emerged to deliver several “miracles” through use of various mantles.

In these streets, salvation is never for free. It comes with a huge price on the anointed oil, water, bangles and even cucumbers.

At this rate, surely the poor are condemned!

But Prophet Walter Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, who commands quite a huge following in and outside Zimbabwe, part of whom are HIV positive by the way, took it all to a whole new level last week when he announced that he had discovered a cure for HIV.

This at a time when the world has managed to keep its head above the water through administration of anti-retroviral treatment, whose success rate is anchored on strict adherence.

Such a huge announcement without presentation of clinical tests and trials is what is of paramount concern.

Inasmuch as innovation and new discoveries are encouraged, it is of paramount importance that due processes are adhered to, especially considering that the world has come a long way in combating the HIV pandemic.

Disturbing the administration of ART could lead to a worldwide genocide. We certainly do not want that traced back to Zimbabwe.

Commendably, an apology was issued.

What we advise Prophet Magaya, and all people for that matter, is to follow all due processes and be as thorough as possible when it comes to people’s lives.

We hope this is a lesson learnt.