Times Of Swaziland: Preacher's wife collapses, dies

Preacher's wife collapses, dies
================================================================================
 KHULEKANI NENE on 07/01/2013 00:00:00


MALINDZA - A New Year crossover service at a Jericho church ended in sorrow when
the preacher’s wife collapsed and died just outside the church.
The shocking incident, which has left the Malindza community grief-stricken,
occurred at approximately 4am on New Year’s Day.
Service
The Malindza Jericho Church had held a service to usher into the new year and to
also ordain a new reverend.
Esther Funwangubani Tsabedze had just concluded collecting the offering, when
she decided to go outside to check some church members who were preparing
breakfast.
According to her husband, Makwata Tsabedze, she collapsed soon after getting out
of the church.
"When we were called, we found her sprawled on the ground with her hands on her
chest. She complained of chest pains and further said it felt like a burning
sensation. We rushed her to hospital," said Tsabedze.
Certified
She was certified dead upon arrival at the Good Shepherd Hospital.
Makwata, who is still saddened by the incident, said his wife was in a healthy
state throughout the service.
"She was well all night and did not show any signs of sickness or discomfort. It
was all so sudden and this is what confuses me," he said.
Immediately after the incident the service was called off, as some shocked
church members were overcome with emotions.
The cause of death has not yet been established since the family has not yet
agreed on taking the body for autopsy.
However, some family members are suspicious following events leading to the
incident. Sabelo Tsabedze, a son of the deceased, disclosed that there is an
on-going dispute in the church.
Questioning
"Some church members are questioning the legitimacy of the new reverend. This
dispute has divided the church into three factions," he claimed.
On Friday morning, two days after the incident, drama unfolded at the Tsabedze
homestead, when the disputing members of the church were blocked from entering
the mourning house.
The church members had come to pay their respects but were told in no uncertain
terms that they would not be allowed into the mourning house.
Preacher received death threats prior to incident
MALINDZA - Makwata Tsabedze, the husband of the woman who collapsed and died
during a Jericho church vigil, said he received death threats prior to the
incident.
Tsabedze said the death threats were issued by a section of church members who
wanted the ordaining of a new reverend stopped.
"They made it clear that something would happen to me or my family should I
refuse to halt the ordaining of the reverend.
"However, I ignored the threats and I also did not report them to the police,"
he said.
Now that his wife has died, Tsabedze has decided to report the matter to the
police.
Background
Giving a brief background of the dispute, Tsabedze said the founder of the
church who also held the position of reverend, died in the early 90s.
"Since then there has been a dispute over who should be the new reverend. By
virtue of being senior and also being a preacher, I then appointed a new
reverend," said Tsabedze.
The death of the preacher’s wife has divided the church even further and some
senior members of the congregation have reported the matter to the umphakatsi,
in an attempt to bring the disputing church members to a compromise.