INLSA
File Photo: Late leader of the Shembe church, Vimbeni Shembe.
Some ministers in the Shembe church plotted to remove the church’s lawyer and secretary from their positions, the Durban High Court heard on Tuesday.
“A question was thrown around about what should be done about general secretary Chance Sibisi and attorney Zwelabantu Buthelezi because they were working together in misleading the leader,” church member Langelihle Dube testified.
“It was suggested that we get another attorney since 1/8attorney 3/8 Dunstan Farrell had failed in his attempt to remove Buthelezi.”
Dube was referring to a conversation at Nelisiwe temple in December 2010 in the presence of reverend Mbongwa Nzama and a reverend Mjadu.
The Shembe Baptist Church has been embroiled in a leadership battle since the death in March last year of Vimbeni Shembe, who was the leader of its largest faction.
According to a will, Vimbeni apparently chose his cousin Vela Shembe as his successor, but some senior church leaders wanted his son Mduduzi to take the reins instead.
After failing to convince the church’s elders that Vimbeni had nominated him, Vela took the matter to court.
Testifying on Tuesday, Dube said Farrell and Professor Bongi Mayaba were introduced to Vimbeni by evangelist Mandlakazi Zwane and Nlhlangakazi Shembe in 2007.
“Mthethwa told the late leader that they had realised that attorney Buthelezi was overloaded with work and required additional assistance.”
Dube told the court that Mthethwa suggested Vimbeni Shembe use the services of Farrell and said he should not worry about the expense.
Vimbeni agreed, on condition that Farrell handle his personal matters and Buthelezi, church matters.
Dube said that in 2008, Mthethwa asked him how he would feel if Vimbeni removed the power of attorney from Sibisi and put him (Dube) in his position.
“I told him that I could not accept that.”
In 2009, Dube travelled to Richard’s Bay with Mthethwa and met Lizwi Ncwane, a member of the church.
Ncwane had contacts with the Scorpions and Mthethwa thought he could help investigate Sibisi and possibly have him arrested, Dube said.
“He alleged that Sibisi was using two of Vimbeni’s IDs (identity documents) fraudulently and had opened companies illegally, using the church’s name.”
Dube told the court that Mthethwa wanted the investigation to expose how Sibisi was handling the church’s finances.
Sibisi, who joined the church in 1959, has been its general secretary since 1985.
In December, he testified that he worked closely with Vimbeni, who trusted by him and gave him power of attorney to handle church matters in his absence.
The matter was postponed until April 23. – Sapa
Continued here:
Shembe ministers plotted to oust lawyer