WATCH: McKenzie slams Pastor Anosike’s R135m bid

Pastor John Anosike has defended his reported R135 million bid for Cape Town’s iconic Good Hope Centre as debate continues over the future of the CBD landmark. Pastor John Anosike has defended his reported R135 million bid for the iconic Good Hope Centre in Cape Town’s CBD after Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie publicly criticised the proposed acquisition, citing he would not allow it to become open to drugs and would challenge it in court. Anosike, leader of Spirit Revelation Ecclesia, announced to his congregation that the church had bought the Good Hope Centre following a City property auction.

The announcement has since drawn political and public scrutiny. During a Facebook Live broadcast, McKenzie, who also leads the Patriotic Alliance, voiced his opposition to the reported deal and warned that it should be used for Arts and Culture. “What Nigerian church will be there, over our dead bodies, I am saying it now today, there will be no Nigerian church there, you are not going to take Arts, Culture spaces and give to Nigerian churches, that one will not happen, “McKenzie boldly stated.

“I am telling you today, if that Nigerian pastor knows what is good for him, he must keep that money, we will never allow it to be sold to Nigerians…That pastor, my advice to him…take your money and invest in Nigeria because we will never give you peace there, we will fight you in the highest court, you will never take it, Nigerians having church there, one two three, then the place will become a place of drugs…” McKenzie also remarked that the DA was selling off the Good Hope Centre and the Bellville Velodrome while they (PA) is coming into power. In his statement, Anosike described McKenzie’s remarks as political intimidation and said they risk discouraging lawful investment by foreign residents in South Africa. In a statement issued this week, Anosike said he followed the official public auction process run by the City of Cape Town when bidding for the property.

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According to the statement, he registered for the auction, complied with the bidding requirements and submitted a bid of R135 million for the venue. “The process is fully documented, lawful, transparent and publicly recorded,” Anosike said, adding that he believed he had been singled out for criticism despite several other properties being sold during the same auction.

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