sandysndlovu
The throne5
The eBuhleni faction of the Nazareth Baptist church showed its might on Tuesday when thousands of its members gathered and issued a stern warning to the ANC to intervene in the church’s leadership dispute or face the consequences at the upcoming polls. Spokesperson Nkosinathi Makhanya read from a memorandum of grievances to government officials at the Durban city hall, where a gathering - believed to be about 10,000 strong - pledged their support for their preferred leader, Mduduzi uNyazilwezulu Shembe. Shembe, the son of the church’s late leader Vimbeni, has endured a number of legal blows in his bid to lead the church which boasts more than 5-million followers. In June, a Constitutional Court judge refused to entertain his appeal to have the apex court challenge a ruling made by the supreme court. The battle for the control of the church started in 2011, soon after the death of Vimbeni Shembe. The march, which commenced at King Dinizulu park, sparking concerns of it being a Covid-19 superspreader. On Wednesday police spokesperson Col Thembeka Mbele confirmed that a docket had been opened at the Durban Central police station for contravening Disaster Management Act regulations. An application for the march was approved by the eThekwini municipality under the impression that there would not be more than 500 people in attendance, in line with Covid-19 regulations. Durban's city centre was brought to a standstill on Tuesday when congregants – estimated to be about 10,000 – of the Nazareth Baptist Church descended for a “peace walk”. The walk was aimed at seeking intervention from the ANC regarding an ongoing leadership dispute within the religious organisation. Photo: SANDILE NDLOVU
The throne5
The eBuhleni faction of the Nazareth Baptist church showed its might on Tuesday when thousands of its members gathered and issued a stern warning to the ANC to intervene in the church’s leadership dispute or face the consequences at the upcoming polls. Spokesperson Nkosinathi Makhanya read from a memorandum of grievances to government officials at the Durban city hall, where a gathering - believed to be about 10,000 strong - pledged their support for their preferred leader, Mduduzi uNyazilwezulu Shembe. Shembe, the son of the church’s late leader Vimbeni, has endured a number of legal blows in his bid to lead the church which boasts more than 5-million followers. In June, a Constitutional Court judge refused to entertain his appeal to have the apex court challenge a ruling made by the supreme court. The battle for the control of the church started in 2011, soon after the death of Vimbeni Shembe. The march, which commenced at King Dinizulu park, sparking concerns of it being a Covid-19 superspreader. On Wednesday police spokesperson Col Thembeka Mbele confirmed that a docket had been opened at the Durban Central police station for contravening Disaster Management Act regulations. An application for the march was approved by the eThekwini municipality under the impression that there would not be more than 500 people in attendance, in line with Covid-19 regulations. Durban's city centre was brought to a standstill on Tuesday when congregants – estimated to be about 10,000 – of the Nazareth Baptist Church descended for a “peace walk”. The walk was aimed at seeking intervention from the ANC regarding an ongoing leadership dispute within the religious organisation. Photo: SANDILE NDLOVU