A group of more than 500 Ngcobo residents marched to the local magistrate’s court yesterday to demand the closure of a controversial church.
The group – including children and political, religious and traditional leaders – handed over a strongly-worded petition to justice department officials in which they voiced their displeasure at the Angels Ministry Church.
They have given Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Michael Masutha an ultimatum until Friday next week to shut the church in Nyanga village completely. They also want the minister to proceed with criminal charges against church leaders.
The church is run by the seven sons of the late Siphiwo Mancoba and his wife Nombongo.
The matter came under the spotlight last month when social workers, accompanied by armed police officers, removed around 22 young children from the church.
They were whisked off to places of safety across the Eastern Cape.
It was reported that the church forbade children from going to school while adults were also not allowed to go to work.
Social development spokesman Mzukisi Solani said the department was allowed to keep the children at the place of safety for a period of 90 days.
“It has not elapsed yet,” he said.
Ngcobo mayor Lamla Jiyose, who was among the leaders present at the march, said it was common knowledge that religious leaders had played a pivotal role in the liberation of the country from the clutches of the apartheid regime.
“ we will never accept that people trample on other people’s human rights under the guise of religion,” he said.
In their petition, also signed by several government departments, the protesters described Angels Ministry as a “pseudo-church” with “unholy” practices akin to a modern form of slavery.
Khalinyanga village headman Zwelivumile Poswayo told the marchers that he had instructed the church leaders to take down a sign with words that they have painted on a mountain behind the village, within seven days.
Attempts to contact the church were unsuccessful at the time of writing yesterday.
But one of its leaders, Banele Mancoba, told the Daily Dispatch last month they were not worried about the negative publicity as it had been foretold by his late father.
The leaders also said they would continue to help people who came to their church despite allegations that their practices were satanic.
South African Council of Churches deputy chairman in the Chris Hani district, Bishop Zamindawo Gqira, said the practices of the church went against Christian traditions.
Justice department Eastern Cape regional head Vuyani Mguqulwa promised to forward the petition to the minister. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Outcry over ‘unholy’ church
The group – including children and political, religious and traditional leaders – handed over a strongly-worded petition to justice department officials in which they voiced their displeasure at the Angels Ministry Church.
They have given Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Michael Masutha an ultimatum until Friday next week to shut the church in Nyanga village completely. They also want the minister to proceed with criminal charges against church leaders.
The church is run by the seven sons of the late Siphiwo Mancoba and his wife Nombongo.
The matter came under the spotlight last month when social workers, accompanied by armed police officers, removed around 22 young children from the church.
They were whisked off to places of safety across the Eastern Cape.
It was reported that the church forbade children from going to school while adults were also not allowed to go to work.
Social development spokesman Mzukisi Solani said the department was allowed to keep the children at the place of safety for a period of 90 days.
“It has not elapsed yet,” he said.
Ngcobo mayor Lamla Jiyose, who was among the leaders present at the march, said it was common knowledge that religious leaders had played a pivotal role in the liberation of the country from the clutches of the apartheid regime.
“ we will never accept that people trample on other people’s human rights under the guise of religion,” he said.
In their petition, also signed by several government departments, the protesters described Angels Ministry as a “pseudo-church” with “unholy” practices akin to a modern form of slavery.
Khalinyanga village headman Zwelivumile Poswayo told the marchers that he had instructed the church leaders to take down a sign with words that they have painted on a mountain behind the village, within seven days.
Attempts to contact the church were unsuccessful at the time of writing yesterday.
But one of its leaders, Banele Mancoba, told the Daily Dispatch last month they were not worried about the negative publicity as it had been foretold by his late father.
The leaders also said they would continue to help people who came to their church despite allegations that their practices were satanic.
South African Council of Churches deputy chairman in the Chris Hani district, Bishop Zamindawo Gqira, said the practices of the church went against Christian traditions.
Justice department Eastern Cape regional head Vuyani Mguqulwa promised to forward the petition to the minister. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos