Controversial Zimbabwean pastor Paul Sanyangore caused a stampede to the front at his Harare church – when he blessed a box of condoms.

The gesture led to a number of women rushing to take some of the "anointed" condoms for themselves, reports MyZimbabwe.

Sanyangore, pastor of Victory World International Ministries, claims to have performed a variety of healing miracles and even resurrections, and draws huge crowds to his services.

He said that a member of his congregation had brought the condoms to his church asking if it was right for her to use them and had handed them to his assistant during a prayer time.

Sanyangore said: "I saw nothing wrong in her using them with her husband after two years of absence. Who knows what he was doing there, so it is better to be safe. When I prayed for the condoms, some women came out and wanted to have them."

Zimbabwe has the fifth highest HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, at 15 per cent, and condoms help prevent the transmission of the virus. Sanyangore said that HIV was "a reality that we should all be aware of" and that condoms could help protect against the disease.

The pastor is noted for his frank speaking about sexual issues, also claiming to have helped men with sexual problems through miraculous healing. "We have a prayer house, we call it our spiritual clinic, and we usually help men who have challenges in the bedroom," he said.

Sanyangore is one of a number of high-profile Zimbabwean pastors who major on healing miracles and prosperity teaching. Others include Emmanuel Makandiwa and Walter Magaya.

The activities of – un-named – "miracle-performing prophets" recently drew the wrath of Zimbawe's Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, who told legislators in September that "some of these churches are using the Bible to generate cash with it, anyone who has no job they are now just starting a church".

"People are flocking to these churches...our pastors, some mean well but some are just dishonest."

He concluded: "We want people who are straightforward; dishonest, no. Let's have the virtues of honest, the virtues of love, charity, helping each other.

"We need the virtues of humility and virtues of helping the sick, those in need. That should be our life, not cheating our people."