A Limpopo chief has promised to intervene in a matter involving a youngster who used tens of thousands of rands meant for his tertiary education and donated it as a church offering.
Chief Setlamorago Thobejane, who resigned from his position as an ANC member of parliament and member of the party a week ago, entered the fray after Sowetan revealed on Friday that Phumzile Thobejane's mother Mumsy Mmaboko was angry that pastor Harry Mampa was failing to refund the R49000.
Thobejane, president of Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA, is the chief of Mafefe village, about 115km south-east of Polokwane.
Mampa of the Mount Zion Bible Church said he has used the funds to buy musical instruments.
His church is based at GaMakgoba village and falls under Thobejane's jurisdiction.
The 21-year-old boy wanted to study at Jeppe College in Polokwane. Phumzile's parents had saved the money for him to pursue a career of his choice after passing matric. The money was transferred into his personal bank account as soon as he passed matric, only for him to donate R49000 to the church.
The traditional leader said he became concerned when he came across the story in Sowetan on Friday and he decided to intervene.
Thobejane said the pastor would have to either refund Phumzile's family or pay his tertiary fees.
"The future of a poor child is at stake here and that's where it all begins. Looking at your own interests over those of a student, who wants to pursue his studies, will not be tolerated. I want the pastor to own up to his mistakes," he said.
"As a parent I would ask myself serious questions, whether I have an interest in other children's welfare or my own. And I think the pastor in this case only looked at his own interests and those of his church and forgot about the education of the poor boy, hence I'm going to intervene to ensure that sanity prevails," said Thobejane.
Mampa confirmed having used the money to buy guitars, drums, speakers and sound equipment to be used during church services.
Yesterday Mampa said he would not entertain the chief's request.
"If anyone wants the money, they must go to Phumzile because I never asked for that money," said the unrepentant Mampa.
He, however, said he was willing to assist Phumzile with "whatever" assistance he may need from him.
Phumzile could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Pastor told to repay student's R49 000
A Limpopo chief has promised to intervene in a matter involving a youngster who used tens of thousands of rands meant for his tertiary education and donated it as a church offering.
Chief Setlamorago Thobejane, who resigned from his position as an ANC member of parliament and member of the party a week ago, entered the fray after Sowetan revealed on Friday that Phumzile Thobejane's mother Mumsy Mmaboko was angry that pastor Harry Mampa was failing to refund the R49000.
Thobejane, president of Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA, is the chief of Mafefe village, about 115km south-east of Polokwane.
Mampa of the Mount Zion Bible Church said he has used the funds to buy musical instruments.
His church is based at GaMakgoba village and falls under Thobejane's jurisdiction.
The 21-year-old boy wanted to study at Jeppe College in Polokwane. Phumzile's parents had saved the money for him to pursue a career of his choice after passing matric. The money was transferred into his personal bank account as soon as he passed matric, only for him to donate R49000 to the church.
The traditional leader said he became concerned when he came across the story in Sowetan on Friday and he decided to intervene.
Thobejane said the pastor would have to either refund Phumzile's family or pay his tertiary fees.
"The future of a poor child is at stake here and that's where it all begins. Looking at your own interests over those of a student, who wants to pursue his studies, will not be tolerated. I want the pastor to own up to his mistakes," he said.
"As a parent I would ask myself serious questions, whether I have an interest in other children's welfare or my own. And I think the pastor in this case only looked at his own interests and those of his church and forgot about the education of the poor boy, hence I'm going to intervene to ensure that sanity prevails," said Thobejane.
Mampa confirmed having used the money to buy guitars, drums, speakers and sound equipment to be used during church services.
Yesterday Mampa said he would not entertain the chief's request.
"If anyone wants the money, they must go to Phumzile because I never asked for that money," said the unrepentant Mampa.
He, however, said he was willing to assist Phumzile with "whatever" assistance he may need from him.
Phumzile could not be reached for comment yesterday.
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