TheANC and Buffalo City Metro mayor were yesterday dragged into the ongoing sex scandal involving Power of the Cross Ministries’ pastor Zakhele Ntiwane.
During a “special” service at Ntiwane’s church near Duncan Village, the ANC and city’s leadership were given a vote of thanks by Festus Sawoni, who was speaking on behalf of a panel that is trying to reconcile Ntiwane and a string of women worshippers.
The women allege that Ntiwane had sex with them.
“He wanted to invite the ANC leaders as we were to make an announcement; it is a community relationship. Our intervention as the panel was to assist in the matter as it concerned pastors because it was dragging the name of the Lord into the mud,” Sawoni said
Ncitha later said Ntiwane had invited her to attend the service.
“I only received an invitation yesterday from him but I declined because I was not in East London. I thought it was just an invitation to church. I did not know about any meeting or announcement to be made,” Ncitha said, adding she had played no role in resolving the matter.
Duncan Village ANC zonal secretary Koko Godlo confirmed that Ntiwane had also invited them.
“We were ready to attend but on Saturday we were told the announcement had been postponed and that the pastor would not be at church, hence we did not go,” Godlo said.
The relations between Ntiwane and the ANC started in April this year, when the party went to Ntiwane’s church to campaign for the elections in May.
“Ntiwane helps the ANC with a platform now and then so we can’t just dump him now,” said Godlo.
But ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane said they could not be associated with Ntiwane’s church if all the allegations against him were true.
“We never supported Ntiwane or anything. We need the church to help us deal with social ills, not to contribute to them,” Mabuyane said.
The panel called on other women to come forward with information so that the matter could be resolved and “God’s work could proceed”. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Sex saga drags mayor in
During a “special” service at Ntiwane’s church near Duncan Village, the ANC and city’s leadership were given a vote of thanks by Festus Sawoni, who was speaking on behalf of a panel that is trying to reconcile Ntiwane and a string of women worshippers.
The women allege that Ntiwane had sex with them.
“He wanted to invite the ANC leaders as we were to make an announcement; it is a community relationship. Our intervention as the panel was to assist in the matter as it concerned pastors because it was dragging the name of the Lord into the mud,” Sawoni said
Ncitha later said Ntiwane had invited her to attend the service.
“I only received an invitation yesterday from him but I declined because I was not in East London. I thought it was just an invitation to church. I did not know about any meeting or announcement to be made,” Ncitha said, adding she had played no role in resolving the matter.
Duncan Village ANC zonal secretary Koko Godlo confirmed that Ntiwane had also invited them.
“We were ready to attend but on Saturday we were told the announcement had been postponed and that the pastor would not be at church, hence we did not go,” Godlo said.
The relations between Ntiwane and the ANC started in April this year, when the party went to Ntiwane’s church to campaign for the elections in May.
“Ntiwane helps the ANC with a platform now and then so we can’t just dump him now,” said Godlo.
But ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane said they could not be associated with Ntiwane’s church if all the allegations against him were true.
“We never supported Ntiwane or anything. We need the church to help us deal with social ills, not to contribute to them,” Mabuyane said.
The panel called on other women to come forward with information so that the matter could be resolved and “God’s work could proceed”. — mamelag@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