THE funeral service of 32-year-old musician, businessman and pastor Jay Hlungwani, which was held at Giyani Golf Course on Saturday, had its fair share of drama.

Hlungwani studied music at Eastside and Fuba Colleges and has recorded five successful.

He has worked with musicians Judith Sephuma, Pastor Benjamin Dube and Revolution Maduvha.

Pastor Ezekiel Mathebula, a past protégé of Jay's father Gezani Phillip Hlungwani, told mourners that God had appeared to him in a dream and had told him to thank Jay for everything he had done for him.

Mathebula, who heads the Grace of God Ministry, caused a stir when he said though he was a spiritual son of Jay's father, bad blood had followed after he broke away from the Miracle Valley Church to form another church nearby at Giyani Section A.

"We were not on talking terms with prophet Hlungwani, but recently God came to me in a dream and said I am where I am because of him," Mathebula said.

Pastor Hlungwani senior told mourners that he had produced many pastors at at his church, Miracle Valley, including his son.

A moving pre-recorded message by the widow Rabelane Nevhutalo was played.

In the message she reaffirmed her love for her late husband .

"You were a gentleman and treated me very well," she said. "You had achieved a lot at a young age. I love you."

The deceased's father, a much-travelled pastor, was in Atlanta, US, when his son was admitted to hospital, said the "thief" - referring to death - had stolen his son.

Jay was born on March 21 1977 and died on November 2.