POPULAR gospel singer Keke Phoofolo denies he got secretly married for the third time last month, despite claims to the contrary by people close to him.

However, three independent sources in his circle insist that he "got married in a secret wedding [ceremony] in Mpumalanga" and that he did not marry the woman he had originally promised to marry.

The 36-year-old old artist and pastor had allegedly promised one of his former backing vocalists, Maria Malunga from his native Soweto, that he would marry her but ended up opting for businesswoman Grace Radebe.

Those in the know say Malunga was one of the reasons he was divorced by his second wife Mpho, who was reportedly abused by the "short-tempered" man 10 years her senior.

The singer has in the past allegedly been involved in drugs and alcohol. In a YouTube video titled Prophet Keke Testimony, he testifies that he "got high on drugs because of the frustration of the church", and also named alcoholic drinks he had, which led him to losing everything, including his marriage.

A national magazine once quoted him saying: "Cheating, abuse, neglect - I did it all." He has in the recent past parted ways with the Krugersdorp church, Sherkinah Glory Worship Tabernacle. Rumour mongers claim he left the church because Malunga is a member there.

An associate said: "He got married, not engaged. It was a secret wedding to a woman that has businesses in Mpumalanga and people were surprised because we thought he was going to marry someone else. His situation with Maria is a mess."

A second informant said: "He promised his former dark beauty girlfriend Maria that he would marry her and that is what he was telling people, so everyone was surprised."

However, Phoofolo and his manager Peter Mbuli claimed the event that occurred in December was an engagement and not a wedding.

Phoofolo confirmed he would soon be getting married. "I feel very good and happy because I believe in a family and I can't function optimally without one," he said.

He denied that he ever promised Malunga marriage butadmitted they dated. "It is not true that I promised to marry her at any stage or time. We separated in peace and harmony. I remember, after my second divorce, allegations were that she [Malunga] was the source of my divorce among other things. This was also not true."

Malunga could not be reached for comment and failed to respond to SMSes sent to her.