Own Correspondent|The regular Friday night service at the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church of the charismatic Prophet Bushiri near the Pretoria showgrounds failed to take place as protesters blocked WF Nkomo Street.

According to reports, traffic was being diverted from the city’s CBD to bypass the protest action.

The self-proclaimed “prophet” has been in the news recently after three congregants died in a stampede at the church last Friday.

Bushiri and and church officials have been charged with defeating the ends of justice and of interfering with police work after the tragedy.

The protesters have been demanding to speak to Bushiri and will not let anybody enter the church before this happens.

“Twitter users have welcomed the protest, railing against Bushiri and calling for him to leave the country,” said the protesters in a message.