ConCourt to hand down judgment on Shembe leadership dispute

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday will hand down judgment in the leadership dispute of the Nazareth Baptist Church.

In 2019, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the ruling by the Durban High Court that the late Vela Shembe of Thembezinhle was the legitimate successor to the late church leader, Vimbeni Shembe.

The Ebuhleni faction led by the late Vimbeni Shembe’s son Mduduzi, then approached the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling.

The leadership battle for the church dates back to Vimbeni Shembe’s death in 2011.

Tuesday’s judgment will determine which of the two contending factions has a legal right and control of all assets of the church.

Shembe church factions clash: