KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu and provincial African National Congress (ANC) Chairperson Sihle Zikalala have paid tribute to the late leader of the Nazareth Baptist Church Vela Shembe.
Shembe died at his home last week Thursday after a short illness.
Inkozi was just declared a rightful leader of the Shembe Church by the Durban High Court, but Mduduzi Shembe is appealing the decision.
Tributes and condolences are pouring in since the passing of Inkosi Vela Shembe.
Premier Willies Mchunu and Sihle Zikalala visited the Shembe’s family at Thembezinhle near Umthwalume on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.
Mchunu says they will assist the family with the burial arrangements.
“This time around, as we have created that precedence, we will work closely with the family and we will make sure that everything goes smoothly. This is so that the funeral itself, all proceeding of the funeral are in a respectable manner; are in a smooth manner, and that there is peace and security around Inkosi. As it befits his status and the funeral itself, after consultations with the family and the church leadership, we will then see what else government needs to do to play a part so that Inkosi is given the statue that befits his leadership in this province.”
Zikalala commended Inkosi Shembe for bringing unity beyond the church borders.
“His role in society is well-known. He has been a leader for all of us as a church leader, but the manner in which the church has played a role in building the nation, especially here in KwaZulu-Natal, has positioned him as a leader for all of us in the province.”
The family says his passing is a great loss.
Spokesperson Rev Gqinsa Mbatha says Inkosi Vela Shembe was able to document all the history and the rules of the Nazareth Baptist church within five years.
“We have lost a leader that truly belonged to his people. We have lost someone (who) in a short period of time contributed greatly towards building the church and keeping it intact.”
Inkosi Vela Shembe won the prolonged court leadership battle against challenger Mduduzi Shembe of Ebuhleni faction of the church.
The Ebuhleni faction appealed the court’s decision.
Legal expert at the University of KZN law School, Khulekani Khumalo says the court will have to make a ruling regardless of the passing of Inkosi Vela Shembe.
“If the Court of Appeal disagrees with the High Court in Durban that the late Shembe leader Vimbeni Shembe was entitled to nominate Vela Shembe in his will as his successor then the legal position is quite simple and straightforward. It will mean that Mduduzi Shembe Unyazi is the leader of the church and he is still alive and therefore, they will proceed in that manner.
“But in the event that the court agrees with the High Court in Durban that Vela Shembe is a rightful leader, then the problem becomes that Mr Vela Shembe is now deceased, but what that judgment does … it adds an item that the estate of Vela Shembe is entitled to distribute. The consequence is, therefore, Mr Vela Shembe is entitled to nominate whoever the leader of the church in his will in the same manner that himself was appointed by the late leader Mr Vimbeni Shembe.”
iNkosi Vela Shembe will be laid to rest on Sunday.
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