Church leader claims cover-up in IPHC murder case
Senior church member has accused the police of trying to cover-up a murder case at a Mabopane church.
Police may have tried to cover up a Mabopane church murder case.
This accusation was made by the deputy chairperson of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) council, Abbey Wesie, following the killing of a church member Peter Nkomo (41) at the church in Mabopane last month.
Nkomo was killed during a church meeting on Wednesday 13 April, in an apparent hit.
Police later reported that four men had been arrested in connection with the murder.
However, the church council, this week, poured cold water on the police’s statement with Wesie claiming that the police were trying to cover up the murder.
“It’s all a bunch of lies. They [the police] told us [church] that four suspects have been arrested. We went to the police station where the case is being investigated to inquire about the names of the suspects, the charges and the court appearance dates. They refused to give us that information. Something is fishy here,” said Wesie.
“The suspect behind the whole thing is known, how come he is still walking free.”
According to Wesie, only Nkomo was killed and the second victim, who was also shot, survived.
“He was later discharged from hospital,” said Wesie.
After previously confirming the four arrests, the police now remain mum.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Lolo Mangena said this week two cases were being investigated, murder and malicious damaged to property but would neither confirm nor deny the arrest.
“We are not trying to cover-up anything. We don’t want to give out information that may jeopardise our investigations. What I can say right now is that the the case has been referred to the police’s organised crime unit,” he said.
Nkomo’s killing is linked to a battle for the reins of the church.
Sources said Nkomo was stoned to death when a fight broke out during a meeting of two factions of the church who were discussing who the next leader of the church should be.
“A fight broke out after and members started stoning each other. Others were badly injured and four cars were damaged,” Mangena said.
The church has been embroiled in court battles over succession following the death of its leader Glayton Modise early this year.
Modise died on February 9 after a short illness.
Last month, the High Court in Pretoria set aside a previous order in which it placed the church’s executive committee led by Glayton’s son Tshepiso Modise in charge of the congregation’s finances and administration.
The court had granted that order two months ago, after the young Modise applied for an order putting him in charge.
Also read:
Two men killed IPHC congregants
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