Johannesburg - A fight over the legacy and millions of the late leader of the International Pentecost Holiness Church took another turn on Wednesday when the Red Ants raided the church.
The Red Ants descended on the church’s premises in Zuurbekom, south of Joburg, after 8am accompanied by the sheriff, following a court order to remove fabrics used to sew church uniforms and sewing machines.
There has been a fight about who will take over from Glayton Modise, who had two wives, Miriam and Nozipho, since his death in February.
Modise’s first wife, Miriam, had to vacate the church’s headquarters and main family home in Zuurbekom. But the sewing machines and the fabric to sew uniforms have become the centre of the latest court battle by the Modises.
The Red Ants also removed uniforms that were already sewn and loaded them on to several trucks as police who were deployed to the church swarmed around the church premises.
The dramatic scenes shocked community members who craned their necks, whispering about how the family have been fighting over the millions. “This is supposed to be a place of God, not a place where people fight over wealth,” remarked a police officer.
Congregants who gathered outside the church premises said they had come to pray for peace. “This fight has been going on for too long, and we want this to end. We have become a laughing stock. People are looking at the church-going people fighting over wealth. Money is not everything,” said one congregant.
According to Red Ants members, who did not want to be named, the first wife had decided to get a court order because the sewing machines used to sew uniforms - which are sold to congregants - belong to her.
The church members said that for years the sewing project has been handled by the first wife. They said the church employed a lot of people specialising in sewing the uniforms.
Church members held a prayer and sang hymns as the Red Ants continued raiding their church. The group of women stood with their heads bowed under the scorching sun and prayed for peace and unity in their church.
But others blamed the first wife for sending the Red Ants to the church.
The Star