Fists fly in holy war

Published Jul 28, 2015

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Durban - There was chaos in the Durban CBD on Monday as thousands of Nazareth Baptist Church - better known as Shembe Church - followers exchanged blows as they sought to settle who should be their leader.

The fight between the Buhleni faction under Mduduzi Shembe and their Thembezinhle counterparts who are loyal to Vela Shembe started as members of the two groups were jostling to enter the Durban High Court.

It is this court which will decide which of the two men is the legitimate leader.

The dispute began in 2011 after the death of Vimbeni Shembe, with his cousin Vela claiming that before his death Vimbeni had signed a “deed of nomination” appointing him as the successor.

Then at the funeral, Vimbeni’s son, 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.

It is alleged that members of one of the groups blocked the main entrance of the court to prevent their rivals from attending the hearings.

People were pushing their way into the court despite the police preventing anyone from going in without a ticket, which permitted entrance.

As the tension rose with noise from outside, Judge Achmat Jappie had to adjourn the case. The rivalry and antagonism escalated further when some of the more militant congregants were heard shouting: “Let us attack them.”

One man was heard shouting: “Let us attack even these journalists. Their reporting is biased.”

That was when police, who were heavily outnumbered by the congregants in white religious regalia, got to work trying to separate the groups by forming a human wall.

The rival Shembes punched, kicked and struck each other with sticks.

The followers also used pepper spray to attack. Some sustained head and body injuries.

One man was allegedly apprehended by the police after he pulled out a firearm, but he was later released.

The day started with a march by one of the factions to the high court to demand a speedy finalisation of the case.

The march saw the traffic in Anton Lembede (Smith) Street and Dr Pixley kaSeme (West) Street came to a standstill as thousands of people occupied the area.

It was expected that Inkosi Makhosonke Qwabe would testify on behalf of Mduduzi on Monday. This was after another traditional leader had finished giving his testimony, also for Mduduzi.

Police said one person was arrested. They did not have information about injuries.

The Mercury

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