Members of the Ebuhleni faction of the Nazareth Baptist Church have been reprimanded by their leaders for embarking on a celebratory parade after the news of the death of Shembe leader Vela Shembe was made public.
Inkosi Vela Shembe died on Friday, just weeks after a court declared him the legitimate leader of the more than 5 million Shembe church followers. This followed a court battle between him and the leader of the rival Thembezinhle faction, the late leader Vimbeni Shembes’ son Mduduzi.
Ebuhleni faction spokesperson Thokozani Mncwabe says the Ebuhleni church members are exposing their weaknesses to the world by celebrating rather than mourning the death of one of the church leaders.
“We are sending a stern warning to our church members from Ebuhleni to immediately stop celebrating the death of the Thembezinhle faction leader. He was the son and the blood of the same leaders that they also pray to. How do you really get excited by the passing on of someone let alone a leader who is the off spring of the same leaders you worship. Lets take a leaf out of political parties they might differ in opinions but when the death strucks they all rally around together. Lets support and pray for them about their loss.”
Meanwhile, the Shembe headquarters of Ekuphakameni at Inanda, north of Durban has called for calm and peaceful mourning during this time.
Spokesperson Thetha Ngiba advised Shembe folowers to remain disciplined.
“We pray for the entire congregation of Thembezinhle and Shembe family to whom Babu Vela has been a father figure and brother and the uncle. We understand that at times when an elderly person has passed on people become confused and end up doing things that do not benefit the dignity of the person they honour. We hope the congregation that whatever they are doing they should do it in the name of respect of their leader and peace prevails.”
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