There are prophets and then there are profits - just ask Pastor Alph Lukau

VIP escort, fast cars and yes, even a Zuma connection

26 February 2019 - 12:04 By TimesLIVE
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'Through his ministry, people are saved, healed, delivered, we have seen families restored and many miracles have taken place,' says Alph Lukau on his website. But miracles don't come cheap.
'Through his ministry, people are saved, healed, delivered, we have seen families restored and many miracles have taken place,' says Alph Lukau on his website. But miracles don't come cheap.
Image: Alleluia Ministries International via Facebook

Pastor Alph Lukau is a Congolese televangelist whose main church is based in Sandton, with various branches in the country and throughout Africa.

Lukau‚ who officiated the extravagant marriage of former president Jacob Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma seven years ago, enjoys wearing Armani suits and owns a 12-seater jet, according to the Sunday Times.

His other toys, reports the Sowetan, include a Range Rover, a Bentley, a Lamborghini, a Rolls Royce, a Ferrari and a three-wheeler custom bike - which he enjoys showing off on Instagram.

On his website, he describes himself as the founder and "general overseer" of Alleluia Ministries International, a "Bible scholar" and a "renowned international speaker". His website asserts: "Through his ministry, people are saved, healed, delivered, we have seen families restored and many miracles have taken place."

He is also an accomplished businessman and is an icon in the marketplace, his website states.

He is married to Celeste Lukau, who serves with him in the ministry and is described as a "first lady".

His church was established 17 years ago.

According to reports in the Sunday Times‚ Lukau holds church services in venues as large as the Dome in Northgate and the Gallagher convention centre in Midrand.

As the owner of an investment company, he knows how to rake in the money. Back in 2017 he was already charging R5‚000 for a VVIP ticket to a service‚ while VIP tickets were R1‚500 a pop and the cheap seats went for R450, according to the Sunday Times.

Lukau enjoys VIP status, even being afforded a motorcycle escort when he rides to church, according to this clip.

In 2016, Lukau courted controversy when he held a marriage conference where he allegedly charged women up to R5,000 to find husbands, the Sowetan reported.

Questioning of this event, as well as Lukau's love of material goods, got a Christian journalist in trouble in 2017, when he asked: “Should Christians give to rich pastors?” 

The journalist, Solomon Ashoms Izang, was found in contempt of court and slapped with a suspended sentence, after he had flouted an order to stop publishing defamatory comments about Lukau‚ his wife‚ or his church. This was after the church had already taken him to court for making comments about the 2016 event for single women.

Lukau was chosen to conduct the wedding of Duduzile Zuma to Lonwabo Sambudla at an Eastern Cape game reserve in 2011.

The Sunday Times reported that she and her four bridesmaids collectively wore more than 1,000 diamonds worth R4.5m loaned to the wedding party; and, instead of gifts, the bridal couple requested gift vouchers from a variety of high-end stores.

An army of private security guards, police and the presidential protection unit watched over the event.


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