Times Of Swaziland: DIVISION AFTER DEATH OF ZION CHURCH FOUNDER

DIVISION AFTER DEATH OF ZION CHURCH FOUNDER
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Sibusiso Zwane on 02/12/2024 13:24:00


MACETJENI - The death of Enkhosini Church in Zion Founder Archbishop Jobe
Mkhatshwa (89), has left some cracks of division in the church.
This was revealed during his funeral on Saturday morning, which was preceded by
a vigil on Friday at his home at Macetjeni, Gilgal, in the Lubombo Region. The
church has thousands of members in various branches in Eswatini, South Africa
and Mozambique. In fact, almost every speaker, including the League of Churches
President, Archbishop Samson Hlatjwako, spoke about the cracks of division,
which were visible even during the vigil. For example, one of the church
leaders, Mpendulo Ndzinisa, who spoke on behalf of the church, said there were
some discussions regarding having the church structure within the premises of
the Mkhatshwa homestead and the agreement was that it is not a good thing. As a
result, he said a church was built outside the home and the late archbishop
blessed it.
Blessed
However, while he was saying the archbishop blessed the construction of the
church outside the Mkhatshwa homestead, some of the family members interrupted
him by shouting; “Ngemanga lawo (that is a lie), the archbishop never did
that, but it is ok, continue deceiving yourself.” Meanwhile, as if he was
responding to the Mkhatshwa family members, Ndzinisa said, what he knows is that
it is the truth that sets people free; no matter how many times lies are told.
The Mkhatshwa family members said: “You are old, but you are telling lies.”
Bishop Samson, the President of the League  of Churches, said Mkhatshwa and the
late Jericho Church Founder (Melika Vilakati) used to drink tea together, even
after the latter had founded his own church. He said before his demise,
Mkhatshwa visited him in his office at Nkhanini and told him that he was dying.
As such, he said after his demise, he reported it to Their Majesties.
He then urged the church to be strong and remain united. He said a rotten potato
that wants to divide the church, should be reported to the relevant structures.
He also warned them to walk in the late archbishop’s footsteps and always know
that the Lord does not like noise.   “Respect is important. Without it
(respect), you will not have a future. Their Majesties are represented here,
which means everything that will happen will be reported to them,” the bishop
added. He said he had gathered that there is some noise within the church and he
urged the pastors to pray for peace and unity. He highlighted that he knew all
the issues about the church, but he would talk about them at the right time or
after confirming that indeed there is noise or division.
“In fact, I will talk about it in front of Their Majesties,” he said. On the
other hand, one of the senior pastors said real members of the church know the
truth. He said real members of the Mkhatshwa family also know the truth. He
highlighted that he had learnt that there are some of the Mkhatshwa family
members, who are not even members of the church, who now want to ruin
everything. On the other hand, Enkhosini President Mzwandile Mkoko, thanked the
advice from the president of the League of Churches and said as leaders, they
will heed it and take the baton from where their founder left and move forward
as a unit until the rightful leader, whom their archbishop wanted to lead the
church, takes over.
Again, he said as leaders, they will always remind church members that as
Christians, they are expected to lead by example and stick to the truth for the
sake of the church and serving the Lord. He said they will not allow division,
either in the church or family. He said as per the advice of Bishop Hlatjwako,
they will pray for unity.