Zion church president takes congregant to court
MBABANE – President (Mengameli) of Canaan Church in Zion has run to court seeking an order to stop a congregant from allegedly harassing and spreading lies about him.
The church is situated at Ekufikeni in the Hhohho Region.
The President, Elijah Simelane, alleged in his court papers filed at the Mbabane Magistrates Court that he was being harassed by Michael Masuku.
He claims Masuku wants his position in the church.
Simelane stated that trouble began after he was ordained as the president in 2016. He stated that Masuku ran to the High Court of Eswatini wherein he sought to interdict his (Simelane) ordainment as the president. Simelane stated that the court, having heard the application, dismissed it with costs.
The president mentioned that the ordainment took place after the dismissal of Masuku’s application.
“We thought everything was well yet Masuku had been secretly conniving with others and had, on numerous times, made startling allegations against me. He secretly told the other congregants that I was not supposed to be ordained as the president of the church. He accused me of stealing the church through bribes, stating that was because I have money,” he alleged.
Simelane mentioned that Masuku claimed that he (Simelane) ought to be removed from the position of president as he (Masuku) was the entitled person to be installed. Simelane alleged that Masuku made threats to the effect that the president would pay dearly for having stolen the church.
“Masuku had, on numerous occasions, claimed that I was not fit and proper to be installed as the president of the church,” he alleged.
Assault
Simelane alleged that his life had been hell as Masuku was hell-bent on seeing to it that he had no peace and that if they met, Masuku would assault him or worse kill him as he seriously wanted control of the church.
The president stated that Masuku’s conduct had affected him in many ways. He mentioned that, among other things, Masuku’s actions had affected his preaching and teaching in the church.
He stated that his business operations had also been affected.
He stated that his life and dealings with ordinary people were affected as he was said to be a crook who stole someone’s church.
“Masuku’s conduct is without any justification because I never stole anyone’s church and in fact I am an astute person, who also has a private business and a preacher. I am a respectable family man and a man of God,” he stated.
Simelane stated that he felt intimidated by Masuku’s conduct as he felt the latter took advantage of him as a humble person who did not like violence. He mentioned that Masuku’s conduct was unlawful and showed that he was being treated with disdain.
The president alleged that Masuku, in an attempt to remove him from his seat, continued saying wrong things about him.
He reported the matter to the regional administrator on two occasions on August 19, 2020 and in October 2020.
Simelane claimed that in both instances, Masuku’s applications were turned down as his case had no merit.
“I have no other alternative other than to approach this court for the orders. I am seeking an order to interdict and further restrain Masuku from coming to my church and coming into contact with me as well spreading lies and incorrect information about me.
Blood
“He should stop causing havoc and disturbing peace of my family and the church. I fear that this may lead to the shedding of blood as the other family members, as well as church members, may retaliate to Masuku’s unlawful conduct,” he submitted.
Simelane stated that it was for that reason that he sought protection of the police to ensure that Masuku complied with the order.
He applied that the matter be treated as that of urgency as he had reasonable fear that Masuku might continue to injure his good name, reputation, good standing in society and integrity.