The eBuhleni faction of the Nazareth Baptist Church will use its annual pilgrimage to revive and pray for divine intervention ahead of the resumption of the legal battle in the Durban High Court.

The leadership battle is expected to be settled in April when judgment is delivered.

The eBuhleni faction, led by Mduduzi "Unyazi" Shembe, commenced its annual pilgrimage on Sunday from the church's headquarters in Inanda, south of Durban, destined for the eKhanana Holy Mountain near Endwedwe.

Unyazi's paternal uncle, Vela "Imisebe Yelanga" Shembe, says he is the legitimate leader of the Shembe church .

The seat was left vacant by the death of Vimbeni "Uthingo" Shembe in April 2011, leading the two self-proclaimed leaders to claim they were anointed to follow in his footsteps.

The factions commanding the biggest followers among the five Shembe congregations are Thembezinhle, led by "Imisebe Yelanga", ekuPhakameni, led by Inkosi Vukile Shembe, Ginyezinye, led by Inkosi Mudliwamafa Shembe and Reverend Mthandeni Mpanza's newly formed New Nazareth Baptist Church.

Thousands of congregants dressed in white robes braved the scorching heat, walking the 78km distance barefoot.

They walked for two days, arriving yesterday at the eKhanana Holy Mountain. Congregants arrived from neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique and Botswana.

Church spokesman Thokozani Mncwabe said the gathering was unique as it coincided with great turmoil in the church. "We will use this time to seek guidance from our ancestors and founding fathers of the church to show us the light in these trying times," said Mncwabe.

This is the second time that the faction has used the eKhanana Mountain. Over the years, annual pilgrimages were held at the eNhlangakazi Holy Mountain.

But following numerous bloody clashes between the church factions over who should ascend the mountain first, the eBuhleni faction established eKhanana Mountain, making it its holy place.