Conflict a way of life for Modise church

Lack of succession plan cited for fights

The International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) has been plagued by conflict for many years now.

In the most recent infighting a group of men stormed the church’s headquarters in Zuurbekom on July 11 in the early hours of the morning. Five people were killed in the shooting that ensued during the confrontations.

Police recovered 68 firearms, which included 17 rifles, 24 shotguns and 27 pistols.

Divisions at the church began after the death of IPHC leader Glayton Modise in 2016. Since Modise’s death three factions have emerged. These are the Jerusalema faction led by Michael Sandlana, the Leonard Modise faction, which is at the church headquarters in Zuurbekom, and the Tshepiso Modise faction based in East Rand.

The Leornard faction blamed last year’s attack on the North West-based Jerusalema faction but the latter denied any involvement.

Police arrested 42 men in connection with the attack.

They appeared in the Westonaria magistrate’s court and were released on R5,000 bail each. The men are expected to return to court on July 26.

Similar attacks had taken place on the church’s property in Pienaarsrivier, Limpopo, the same year and in Blaauwberg in the Western Cape in May 2019.

The attack prompted the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) to start an intervention process in order to find a solution. The commission found that the problems at the church were caused by the lack of a clear succession plan.

CRL chairperson David Mosoma found that the conflict was also caused by fights over assets and finances of the church.

The IPHC was founded by the late Rev Frederick Samuel Modise in 1962, who was succeeded by his son, Glayton, in 1998.