WHILE members of the Nazareth Baptist Church from all areas of KZN flocked to the Durban High Court this morning in a peaceful march, awaiting news of the court battle over tehri leadership, chaos erupted around midday.
Details are sketchy, however Berea Mail witnessed more than half a dozen SAPS and Metro police vehicles rush up the lane to the High Court after an alleged argument broke out between two factions of the Shembe Church’s leadership. Some of the hundreds of Shembe followers, dressed in their traditional white church clothes, rushed up behind police while others remained in groups along the Esplanade.
Reports of the argument heating up with allegations of a firearm produced spread on social media however supporters of the church remained tight lipped.
A senior citizen who wished to remain anonymous told Berea Mail, “Everything is fine they just had an argument. We are here to support our leaders, we are peaceful, there is no trouble,” the man added laughing.
One of the Metro policemen, who left the scene after rushing in told Berea Mail he was rushed to the scene because of an alleged fight, however this wasn’t the case.
Meanwhile Colonel Jay Naicker, provincial police spokesman confirmed that this morning Shembe Church members were marching from Botha’s Park to High Court. “Members were called to monitor the situation and no damages or arrests have been reported,” he said.
Shembe church members of two factions Ebuhleni faction led by Mduduzi Shembe and Thembezinhle faction led by Vela Shembe continue their legal battle over the leadership of the church. Vela Shembe and Mduduzi Shembe, cousin and son of the church’s late leader, Vimbeni Shembe, have been embroiled in a succession battle since the former leader’s death in 2011.
