VELA Shembe did not state in affidavits that the late leader of Nazareth Baptist Church had told him he would be his successor, the Durban High Court heard yesterday.
During cross-examination, Rajesh Choudree SC asked Vela why he had not mentioned that Vimbeni Shembe had told him that the elder had chosen him to take over the Shembe church when he died.
"The affidavits were prepared according to my attorney's advice. Not everything is about the succession talk ," Vela said.
The Shembe Church has been embroiled in a leadership battle since its leader Vimbeni's death in April.
According to a will presented by the church's lawyer at Vimbeni's funeral, the deceased had chosen his cousin Vela as his successor. But senior leaders preferred his son Mduduzi Shembe.
After failing to convince the elders that Vimbeni had nominated him, Vela took the matter to court.
On Monday Vela told the court that in January 2000 Vimbeni told him he would be his successor.
Choudree, representing Mduduzi, told the court Vela submitted nine affidavits, yet failed to mention the succession conversation.
The trial was delayed yesterday after problems with the translation of a DVD filmed in September 2008 of Vimbeni addressing the Shembe Church in Emzimoya.
The trial continues.
Church row rages on
VELA Shembe did not state in affidavits that the late leader of Nazareth Baptist Church had told him he would be his successor, the Durban High Court heard yesterday.
During cross-examination, Rajesh Choudree SC asked Vela why he had not mentioned that Vimbeni Shembe had told him that the elder had chosen him to take over the Shembe church when he died.
"The affidavits were prepared according to my attorney's advice. Not everything is about the succession talk ," Vela said.
The Shembe Church has been embroiled in a leadership battle since its leader Vimbeni's death in April.
According to a will presented by the church's lawyer at Vimbeni's funeral, the deceased had chosen his cousin Vela as his successor. But senior leaders preferred his son Mduduzi Shembe.
After failing to convince the elders that Vimbeni had nominated him, Vela took the matter to court.
On Monday Vela told the court that in January 2000 Vimbeni told him he would be his successor.
Choudree, representing Mduduzi, told the court Vela submitted nine affidavits, yet failed to mention the succession conversation.
The trial was delayed yesterday after problems with the translation of a DVD filmed in September 2008 of Vimbeni addressing the Shembe Church in Emzimoya.
The trial continues.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos