King warns church leaders against disputes

MBABANE - His Majesty King Mswati III has warned churches against engaging in disputes after deceased leaders are succeeded.

The King issued the warning when blessing archbishops and bishops who were introduced to replace the deceased leaders of churches affiliated with the League of African Churches last Tuesday.

In his brief remarks, the King said no one was expected to challenge the replacement of church leaders, which took place in broad daylight.

The head of State said all the church leaders present at the event would serve as witnesses whenever there was a dispute.

“Asikabheki ke kutsi bese kuba khona umbango ngoba bafundisi babekwa ebaleni kukhanya, wonkhe muntfu abukile.

Nonkhe ke bafundisi seniyoba bofakazi kutsi nembala babekwa,” the King said.

This is loosely translated to mean: “We are not expecting disputes emanating from the succession, because all the church leaders have been blessed in broad daylight and in front of everyone. All of you present here will always bear witnesses in future of what has happened today.”

Customarily, such statements by the King are considered a directive, which could be cited whenever there is a dispute.

The newly-appointed church leaders lauded the King for the warning against disputes in the church.

Worth noting is that there are churches which are still embroiled in disputes, even after the successors were introduced to the King for blessings.

One such church is St Joseph Church in Zion, where the appointment of Archbishop Muzi Gama is being challenged by some members of the extended family.

Death

The history of the church shows that Muzi was appointed by his mother, Alvinah Gama, who led the church after the death of the founder, Shishane Gama.

However, some members of the family are opposed to the chain of command, as they claim that the leadbecause ership should move from one wife of the late founder until it reaches his children. Apostolic Faith Mission International Archbishop Sabelo Masuku said the warning from the King would always be a reminder to those who might be tempted to cause disputes in churches. When asked about the church’s succession plan after the death of an archbishop, Masuku shared that the church used the Bible, which he said was the supreme constitution.

He said the Bible was used along with the constitution and the culture of the church.

He said the constitution of the church provided that the Board of Trustees, which included elders, men, women and the youth committees, should be in charge of the appointment and approval of the successor.

The man of God said certain factors were looked into before one was approved as a successor.

He shared that for many years, since around 1908, the church secretaries were elevated to the position of archbishops in the event the leaders died, they were well-versed in the church affairs.

However, he said with time, the church introduced deputy archbishops, who were due for elevation in case the archbishop died.

“I served as the secretary before I was elevated to the position of the deputy and I think that is where my appointment as a successor came from,” he said.

He shared that a person was scrutinised properly before being appointed to a higher position.

Masuku shared that being in the position of the deputy was not automatic that one would be elevated to the position of the archbishop as there was a lot to be considered by the Board of Trustees prior to the appointment.

Refrain

He said it was not guaranteed that people would refrain from disputes, because some always had their own reasons for breaching peace. However, he prayed and he wished for peace to prevail among all churches. He said the position was more about voluntarism and serving the people than benefitting. He said the archbishop had to sacrifice in order to reach out to the people.