Sipho Masombuka

Sipho Masombuka

South Africa's Ministers Fraternal will intervene in the case of a pastor suspended for speaking out against "corruption and wanton sex" in his church.

Pastor Diphapang Potsane of the Ethiopian Catholic Church in Zion, Soshanguve branch, was suspended by his bishop for demanding action against errant clerics.

He claimed that he was suspended for six months just four days after he had criticised deacons and bishops who "smoked, drank, stole and had extramarital affairs".

The president of South African Ministers Fraternal, David Matebesi, said he had written a letter to leaders of the church of Archbishop Simon Moloisane, proposing an urgent meeting between Pastor Potsane and the church leaders.

"Our aim is to establish whether Pastor Potsane's claims are true and also to try to solve the matter which is tarnishing the image of the church, which is the body of Christ.

"If the claims are true, then these spiritual leaders do not deserve to be called deacons or bishops and Pastor Potsane's suspension would be deemed un-biblical. We would demand that he be reinstated with immediate effect," said Bishop Matebesi.

Pastor Potsane told Sowetan: "I have already submitted the letter of my suspension and I am happy that real action will be taken against these errant clerics who want to turn the church into their own establishment."

Chairman of the church's council in Soshanguve, France Mohafe, said the Soshanguve circuit had boycotted holy communion and staged a walk-out at the synod meeting near Bela-Bela in Limpopo, in protest at the "sinning clerics".