Disgruntled members of the Methodist Church in the Zola circuit in Soweto are back in church. But they have vowed not to give offerings because of a dispute with their minister.

Disgruntled members of the Methodist Church in the Zola circuit in Soweto are back in church. But they have vowed not to give offerings because of a dispute with their minister.

Six branches of the church have returned to services after two weeks of protest. The congregants were demanding the removal of the Reverend Zola Mtshiza, who they accuse of being a dictator.

The six branches are Naledi, Hector Pieterson in Dobsonville, Emndeni, Moletsane, Protea and Zola townships.

Mtshiza heads the circuit. Church members also accuse him of mismanaging church funds.

Mtshiza is also accused of calling the Young Men's Guild (YMG) barbarians in a letter that was read in all the branches.

Last week, Gauteng head of the Methodist Church, Bishop Paul Verryn, set up a commission to investigate what he called "serious allegations". - Penwell Dlamini