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MALOPE PROTEST

ORGANISERS have condemned the disruption of a concert to celebrate and honour the life of Queen of Gospel Rebecca Malope in Durban.

ORGANISERS have condemned the disruption of a concert to celebrate and honour the life of Queen of Gospel Rebecca Malope in Durban.

The National Association of People Living with Aids disrupted the performance of popular gospel group Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors on Friday night.

Ncandweni had been billed to perform with the likes of Sifiso Ncwane, Hlengiwe Mhlaba and other gospel artists to celebrate Malope's life.

Hell broke loose when Ncandweni took the stage to perform after Mhlaba. Napwa members stormed the stage and started singing anti-Ncandweni songs.

They covered the stage with their flags and danced, much to the shock of the people who packed the Jesus Dome.

Police had to force the emotional Napwa members off the stage.

The protesters came from Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

Doctor Mlaba, Napwa's Free State coordinator, said they decided to disrupt the performance after their pleas to have Ncandweni excluded from the programme "fell on deaf ears".

This after the group expressed unhappiness with group leader Timothy Myeni's statement that people with HIV should have their buttocks stamped so that whoever comes across them is aware of their status.

Mlaba vowed they would disrupt all Ncandweni's performances.

Myeni declined to be drawn into the quarrel.

But Pastor Bheki Moloi condemned the disruption of the concert, saying the action was unfortunate.

Pastor Vusi Dube of the eThekwini Community Church promised tohave a meeting with Napwa about their concerns.

Malope also described the incident as unfortunate.

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