‘Attacks on TB Joshua are from the devil’

Swakopmund resident Auguste da Costa, who met televangelist TB Joshua three times in Nigeria and says he delivered her from alcoholism, believes the recent attacks on his legacy are orchestrated by the devil.

This comes as Joshua, who died in 2021 at the age of 57, is accused of widespread abuse and torture spanning almost 20 years.

Among his accusers is Namibian media journalist Jessica Kaimu, who says the televangelist raped and tortured her for five years.

Kaimu is among a group of more than 25 women who claim to have been abused by Joshua, as reported by the BBC this week following a two-year investigation.

However, Da Costa yesterday defended Joshua, pointing out his modest attire and lifestyle.

She said he did not flaunt material possessions, unlike other religious leaders.

Da Costa said Joshua’s teachings focus on love and unity, transcending religious boundaries.

“He’s the one who put changes in the world for us to love one another. You will never find a human being like him,” she said.

Da Costa dismissed investigations into Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan) as attempts to tarnish his reputation, comparing the situation to the criticism Jesus Christ faced.

She urged people to keep “an open mind”.

She expressed her belief in Joshua’s mission to promote love among all people, regardless of their faith.

“TB Joshua brought love even to the Muslim community. Even when they came to him, he did not say get out, he embraced them,” she said.

Da Costa said Joshua helped her to stop abusing alcohol, which was destroying her life.

“Because of my deliverance, many others are coming to salvation. It is a testimony and witness of God’s work through TB Joshua,” she said.

“It is all for God’s glory.”

Kaimu told the BBC that Joshua initially touched her breast, after which she confided in one of her fellow ‘disciples’, which led to her assault.

“A sister reported me and said ‘Jessica told me you touched her inappropriately’. He stood up from his chair. ‘Do I do that to you. Can I do that? A man of God?

“And she said ‘no sir, she is lying, she is just lustful’. He hit me. He slapped me, he punched me and he kicked me in the stomach,” Kaimu said.

Joshua allegedly then raped her.

“He was telling me ‘I am your father. I am delivering you’. We went into his room and I stood there and he said ‘take off your clothes’.

“So I removed my clothes and then he just pointed and I lay down. He raped me. He broke my virginity. I was screaming and he was whispering in my ear that I should stop acting like a baby.

“’You better shut up. You want to make noise, you want people to hear.’ I felt like there was a beast. I was 17 years old. I was underage,” she told the BBC.

Kaimu claimed this was ongoing during the five years she spent as a ‘disciple’.

Meanwhile, MultiChoice Namibia’s managing director, Roger Gertze, yesterday confirmed that Scoan’s Emmanuel TV will no longer be broadcast on DStv.

“As part of this ongoing process, Emmanuel TV will no longer be available on DStv and GOtv packages, effective 17 January 2024 at 23:59,” he said.