Sipho Masombuka

Sipho Masombuka

A 300-strong splinter group from Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) was on Saturday re-integrated into the original Dutch Reformed Church in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.

Spokesman of the concerned group, Billy Masoka, said the rift is a result of them questioning and rejecting the church's financial statements and the introduction of methods of worship not in line with the church's tradition.

The splinter group had decided to conduct their own service elsewhere following the failure by the church's Tshwane presbytery (church administrative body) to find an amicable solution to the seven-year feud.

Looking for a spiritual home, the group was welcomed by the Lichtenburg-Zeerust circuit of the Dutch Reformed Church.

The chairman of the Lichtenburg-Zeerust Circuit of the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa, Reverend Seroke Kgobokoe, said it should be stressed that they do not recruit congregants from other churches.

Reverend Kgobokoe said when they were approached by the group with the request to be revert to the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa, they were welcomed without any questions.

"We believe that the church is one and belongs to Jesus Christ," Kgobokoe said.

The building currently used by the Uniting Reformed Church in Atteridgeville belongs to the Dutch Reformed Church.

Secretary of the splinter group, Shime Rammego, pictured, told Sowetan that because they have reverted to the Dutch Reformed Church, they were going to seek a high court order to be allowed to use the building for their services.