The legal representatives of the late Nazareth Baptist Church leader in the Thembezinhle faction of Vela Shembe say the announcement of his successor will be made on the 16th of December. Shembe, who died last week Friday after he succumbed to illness, was laid to his final resting place at his home in Mthwalume on the south coast of KZN.
Thousands of congregants of Nazareth Baptist Church gathered at the Thembezinhle temple in uMthwalume on the south coast of KZN to pay their last respects to their late leader.
The funeral was closely monitored by a tight security force to ensure safety.
He took over the faction in 2011 after the death of his brother Vimbeni Shembe who led both Thembezinhle and eBubleni factions.
The church divided after Vimbeni’s death leading to a violent court battle between Vela and Vimbeni’s son Mduduzi Shembe who leads eBubleni.
According to Vela, Vimbeni nominated him as his successor, but the church elders chose Mduduzi.
The court had ruled in favour of Vela.
However, Mduduzi appealed the court’s decision.
Speaking at Vela’s funeral, leader of the Nazareth Church of God bases in Clemont in Durban Reverend Mthembeni Mpanza called for unity in all factions of the church.
Congregants were expecting that a new leader would be announced as it has become a norm in the Shembe Church that when a leader dies a new one is announced on the day of the funeral.
Thembezinhle faction Spokesperson Nkululeko Mthethwa says the late leader has made it clear through his lawyers that he does not want his successor to be announced on the day of his funeral.
Mthethwa says the late leader wants to give both his family and followers time to mourn his death.
“It has become a habit that the new leader is announced at the end of the funeral same day. However, Inkosi Vela made it clear to his lawyers that he does not want this to happen. He wants people to mourn and also to give time to his family.”
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Willies Mchunu who delivered a keynote address, called on all church denominations to unite in the fight against social ills, and ongoing violence in the province.
Mchunu called on the church to set a good example.
“The church needs to help government restore morals and respect amongst many of our people in this province. We are experiencing many bad things like violence, crime and racism. The church is our only hope.”
Vela’s family described him as a humble leader who wanted to unite all congregants of the Shembe Church.
Vela’s brother, Menzi Shembe, “As the family, we are very saddened by the death of my brother. He was unique and wanted to bring about change and unity. ”
Meanwhile, none of the leaders from the eBubleni faction were present at Inkosi Vela’s funeral.
Vela’s successor is expected to be announced on the 16th of December.
He survived by his wife and 13 children.
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