Durban -
In a voice barely above a whisper, the widow of former Nazareth Baptist church leader “Baba” Vimbeni Shembe testified on Monday that her stepson Mduduzi, her late husband’s eldest son, should be the one to take control of the church and lead its 3 million members.
“As he (Vimbeni) lay dying, it did cross my mind that there is a possibility his eldest will be the one because that is how it has happened before,” Joyce “Ma” Shembe said in her evidence before Durban High Court Judge Achmat Jappie in the legal battle for the leadership of the church.
The trial - to determine if Mduduzi or his father’s cousin Vela is the “chosen one” - is now in its third year and more evidence will be led this week and in February next year.
The dispute began in 2011 after the death of Vimbeni, with Vela claiming that before his death Vimbeni signed a “deed of nomination” appointing him as the successor.
Then at the funeral, Mduduzi was named as his father’s successor by Inkosi Mqoqi Ngcobo.
Vela launched the court application seeking an order that he be declared the rightful leader.
So far two handwriting experts have given conflicting evidence about the authenticity of the signature on the document.
On Monday, Shembe said she had not been involved in the affairs of the church and her late husband had never discussed who would succeed him.
She described Ngcobo as being like a brother to Vimbeni, who would often come to their home.
Vela, she said, had never been there.
Regarding evidence by church official Chancey Sibisi about an alleged discussion he had with her before the funeral about the deed and that it bore the name VM Shembe, she said: “That is not true. The conversation had only been about funeral arrangements.”
The trial continues.
The Mercury