MKHULULI NDAMASE
ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
A popular East London “miracle” pastor is being investigated by the police for allegedly threatening to kill one of his former congregants.
Spirit Life Ministry Church pastor Jay Israel allegedly threatened to kill his former spokesperson, Tabisa Ralawe, after she posted a series of Facebook posts claiming he was a “fraud” and a “fake prophet”.
However, the 26-year-old Israel claims Ralawe was a disgruntled pawn being used by his jealous detractors.
Ralawe, 43, who was Israel’s public relations manager for more than a year, opened the intimidation case against the controversial pastor in King William’s Town last week.
The alleged threat was made to another congregant, who told Ralawe, she said.
“I left his church because I felt like I was part of a lie.
“I discovered Jay was faking miracles.
“I discovered that this guy is a crook,” she said.
Police spokesperson Captain Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed that the police were investigating a case of intimidation.
“The case is still premature and the investigation is continuing. So far there is no suspect arrested,” she said.
However, Israel said Ralawe was a disgruntled former congregant who was being used by jealous South African pastors who wanted to drive him out of East London.
He recently claimed he was being targeted because he was a successful foreigner from Zimbabwe who had managed to grow his church in three years, resulting in thousands of people leaving their traditional churches and flocking to his.
He also claimed Ralawe had tried to seduce him, and that she had taken his rejection hard.
This was vehemently denied by Ralawe.
Israel said his lawyers were preparing to sue people who had allegedly defamed him...