Namhla Tshisela

Namhla Tshisela

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) will intervene in a dispute between the Zion Christian Church and Chief Lefty Mashamba of Limpopo.

Nine members of the church were assaulted by residents of Mashamba village last year after the church failed to comply with a request by the chief to minimise noise during a three-week initiation period.

Noise is not allowed during the initiation ceremonies and the chief therefore asked for churches in the community to limit their singing.

Sibusiso Nkosi, of the CRL Commission, said the commission would meet with representatives of the chief and the church to "ensure that peace in the community prevails".

"The bishop is very happy that we are getting involved in this matter because peace and healing is what the church is striving for and hopefully we will be able to unite the currently divided Mashamba community," said Mongezi Guma, chairman of the commission.