A pastor in the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church has been shot dead in South Africa while praying at a prayer mountain.

ECG is led by Malawian preacher Shepherd Bushiri.

Bushiri confirmed the shooting death of Eric Bhuka on his Facebook page.

“I am greatly pained and grieved to learn of the tragic shooting to death of Apostle Eric Bhuka, one of our ECG Pastors in South Africa. What’s even troubling is that our Apostle was shot at the prayer mountains, where he went to pray, preparing for the Great Entrance this Sunday. I celebrate you, Apostle Eric. You came, you preached, you won souls and, at your journey’s end, you have gone back to where we will all return after finishing the mission of preaching Jesus Christ.”

Messages of condolence from followers of the ECG have since been pouring in to their leaders Bushuri and Bhuka family.