Family issues divide St Joseph Church
DLANGENI - A misunderstanding among a family of the late St Joseph Church in Zion Founder Shishane Longenandzaba Gama has given birth to three factions.
St Joseph is one of the first Zion churches with many branches across the country. The church had two synods at Dlangeni under the Hhukwini Constituency.
Information gathered was to the effect that Shishane had four wives namely; LaZwane, LaMavuso, LaMdlovu and LaMasilela.
It was gathered that during his lifetime, Shishane left a message that none of his children would be above his wives in the leadership of the church in the event he died.
Statement
A statement issued by the church after it was engaged on the dispute which has lasted for years, has pointed out that Shishane appointed one of his sons, Benjamin Gama, stating that he (Benjamin) would serve under his wives and would always take instructions from them until he took over the reigns of leadership of the church.
However, the infighting is said to have started shortly after the death of Shishane. According to information shared by the church, this was after one faction elevated and further installed Benjamin to the position of Archbishop without consent from family members and other sections of the senior leadership.
It is said some senior member of the church and members of the Gama family felt that the act of the faction was contrary to the will of Shishane, resulting in them opposing the appointment of Benjamin.
Factions
As a result, there were two factions; one led by Benjamin and the other one led by Alvinah Gama (Gogo Mavuso).
“The area’s royal kraal was approached concerning the matter as one faction was being denied access to the church for worship purposes. The Royal Kraal issued an order to the effect that the church structure should relocate to a neutral venue where all members would be free to attend without any hindrance. The church was allocated a piece of land just above the old headquarters to build a structure that would not be owned by the Gama household,” reads the statement from the church. the statement in vernacular, meaning; “The royal kraal made it clear that the church should be built at a neutral place so that everyone will leave his or her home and go to the church, as it belongs to all people.”
It is said that the faction led by Benjamin elected to remain at the old structure while the faction of Alvinah proceeded to the new structure.
Decision
The church viewed the decision of Benjamin’s faction as defiance to the order from the royal kraal. The church mentioned that the faction of Alvinah then established it own headquarters known as St Joseph Christian Church in Zion.
However, another faction was born within the faction of Alvinah at the new headquarters.
It is said that when Alvinah fell sick, she called the leadership under her command to a meeting at Dlangeni. The church alleged that Alvinah called the meeting without consulting the
Gama family, senior pastors and committee members. It is said that everyone was in the dark and baffled when they heard that the meeting was convened by Alvinah without setting the agenda.
The church stated that as a result of Alvinah’s action, tension started among the Gama family, senior pastors and the committee. It is said that the tension emanated from the fact that the family, senior pastors and the committee were never consulted as per the constitution of the St Joseph Christian Church in Zion. The church stated that it was during that meeting that Alvinah ordained her son Joseph Gama as the new leader of the faction.
The church stated that Joseph was ordained along with other church leaders under different categories.
“After ordaining her son, she said the following words: emasontfo lamanengi.”
The church said some members of the church felt that the same mistake that was committed by Archbishop Benjamin’s faction was happening in the church. As a result, the church stated that the concerned members objected to the appointment of Joseph, resulting in the formation of another faction led by Lady Bishop Gogo Mdlovu and Make Masilela.
“The faction that is led by Gogo Mdlovu and Make Masilela is the one that believes that the church should be governed according to the instruction of the founder and the dictates of the constitution. The faction also believes that Alvinah never said Joseph will be the leader of the church but she stated that he (Joseph) will act in her absence,” reads a statement from the church.
“Utaba ngumfana wakhe latamutfuma uma angekho njengoba agula kepha nakakhona utawuhlala phansi kusebente yena Gogo Mavuso. Lona ungimi utawusebenta nangingekho,”