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MBABANE - A faction which is opposed to the appointment of Joseph Gama as the new Archbishop of St Joseph Church in Zion is currently having no place of worship.

Archbishop Joseph was appointed by her mother Alvinah Gama (Gogo Mavuso) and was, during the Easter Services, introduced to His Majesty King Mswati III as Alvinah’s successor.

Structure

Information gathered from the church was to the effect that both parties believed that they were entitled to use the structure for worship and other special occasions. However, the church claimed that the faction of Joseph denied the faction led by Gogo Mdlovu and Make Masilela access to the church.

It was gathered that the faction of Gogo Mdlovu and Make Masilela only

“Kwatsiwa akuphunywe emadladleni khona wonkhe umuntfu atawusuka edladleni kabo aye esontfweni ngoba lelisontfo lemakholwa onkhe,” reads forced entry whenever they wanted to used the church as it was always locked by the other faction.

This, the church said, was because both factions had permission from the area’s royal kraal to use the structure.

The divisions were noted during this year’s Easter Service. It is said that the faction of Gogo Mdlovu and Make Masilela held their Easter services at Elangeni Primary School where the founder used to have the service, while the faction of Archbishop Joseph held the services at Entuthukweni Primary School in Mbabane.

“The above scenario is an indication that there are now three factions, one led by Archbishop Benjamin Gama, another one led by Lady Bishop Gogo Mdlovu and Make Masilela and their other one led by Archbishop Joseph Gama,” reads the statement issued by the church’s Secretary General Maswazi Gama. In an interview with the Secretary of Alvinah’s faction Derrick Mavuso, he said the objection of Joseph’s appointment as Archbishop transpired a few months after the death of Alvinah. Mavuso stated that nobody objected to the appointment of Joseph during Alvinah’s lifetime.

Meeting

“Alvinah called a meeting to the church in broad daylight. She gave us Joseph as her successor. Nobody had an objection to the appointment of Joseph until Alvinah passed way in 2020,” Mavuso said.

He stated that even during Alvinah’s funeral in 2020, the League of African Churches, asked the church if there was any objection to Joseph’s appointment.

“Again nobody objected to the appointment of Joseph. The League of Churches then advised that, whosoever had an objection should be quiet because nobody came out clearly when

“Angidzingi ke umuntfu abe angikhulumisa noma angibuta noma angishayela lucingo ngaloku lengikwentile. Lotawuta kami, nankho emaphotisa kuye. Loku kuyawehlukanisa given a change to object,” he said.

Mavuso stated that because there were no Easter services due to COVID-19, the church planned a Christmas service. He said some family members went to the chief and threatened to disrupt the service. Before the alleged threats, Mavuso stated that the family members had raised some issues with the area’s royal.

“The family members had complained about the appointment of Joseph. They said it would not be proper for a child to lead the church, while some of the founder’s wives were still alive. They told the royal kraal that the proper way was to give one of the late bishop’s wives a chance to lead the church. This was so serious that the royal kraal resolved to lock the church and keep the keys for almost three months. The keys were returned to Joseph after the deliberations,” Mavuso said. He said at the time, they prayed further reads the statement loosely translating to: “It was said that Joseph will only act in the absence of Alvinah.”

Meeting

In another family meeting, the church stated that the issue of leadership was discussed at length in accordance with the church constitution.

Present at the meeting were the church committee and senior pastors, according to the statement. It is stated that the meeting resolved that the church should continue under the leadership of the late Shishane’s wives as per the norm and procedure that was adopted following the instructions by the late bishop.

The church stated that it was resolved that all other leaders, including Archbishop Joseph should serve under the leadership of the late bishop’s wives.

The church shared that it also resolved that the church committee, which was elected by the church, should continue with all its duties in terms of the constitution.

“It was said that there was only one committe that was elected to serve the church. It was resolved that announcements (timemetelo telibandla) should be made by the Secretary General, Maswazi Gama, as per the usual procedure of the church. It was resolved that all stamps and other tools for carrying out church duties should be returned to the office of the secretary so that he can carry out his mandate,” reads the statement.

in the mountains. He mentioned that the new faction used to demand the keys from Joseph. Mavuso stated that there were instances, where the faction broke into the church and held meetings after failing to get the keys.

Break-in

He claimed that the alleged breakin was reported to the Lobamba Police Station more than twice. Asked if they worshipped together with the new faction, Mavuso stated that some members of the faction only went to church to hold meetings. However, Joseph has been introduced to His Majesty King Mswati III as the new Archbishop of Alvinah’s faction.

Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni said police arrested based on evidence. She stated that any reported case was investigated before an arrest could be made. She was interviewed in relation to the alleged reported break-in at the church.