Table was set, but no one arose

2004-07-30 23:33

Marisa Phillips

Hertzogville - The table is set, cookies have been baked, the "prophet" has arrived and everybody in this dusty Free State town is ready for the late Paul Meintjies to rise from the dead.

But, July 29 came and went without him coming alive.

"Prophet" David Frances arrived on Thursday night from Durban. On Friday, he refused to be interviewed by the media and, instead, spent the day with the Meintjies family.

Petro Josephs, Meintjies' daughter, said they believed firmly in the prophecy that her father would rise from the dead within the next few days - "We don't have a specific date, but God will let us know."

Trudie, a friend of Anna Meintjies, owns a coffee shop opposite the Meintjies' home.

"Auntie Anna is very sweet and loving, but her belief is not our belief," she said.

Trudie said Anna nursed her husband day and night for months before he died. "She loved the old man dearly and can't wait for him to come alive," she said.

Felt extremely uncomfortable

She said Anna had done everything the "prophet" had told her to do.

"Saturday is their Sabbath and they don't buy anything on that day. They also walk barefoot only."

Trudie met the "prophet" once - "He didn't say anything."

She said she had felt extremely uncomfortable in his presence as it felt as if he was looking through her.

She said that Anna did not talk about "if" her husband rose from the dead, but rather "when".

Trudie said there was no sign of the 600 people alleged to have been healed by the "prophet" in the local township.

"We have all heard the stories, but not one of those 'healed' can come forward," she said.

She said the "prophet" hadn't been to Hertzogville since Paul Meintjies had died.

She also said that the issue had affected everybody in the town.

"We all pray that the whole thing will blow over, but it has brought a new depth to my own beliefs," she said

- Volksblad