THE two factions in battle for leadership of the St John's Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Katlehong, East Rand, have agreed to settle the matter out of court.
Over 150 congregants attended the hearing that was only addressed at the end of the day after private discussions between the parties.
The church's secretary Simon Mofokeng wants to take power from Bishop Gladys Maragu, to stop her becoming the archbishop.
After a seven-year battle at the Johannesburg High Court, an agreement to end the conflict was reached. According to the agreement, the court will appoint a mediator to assist the church with their forthcoming election of an archbishop.
Attorney Bronwyn Murray denied the church was divided. "There aren't factions within the church. It's only one man who is challenging the [church's] constitution," she said.
Some executive committee members who wanted to remain anonymous said the administration at the church was under control, but that issues stated in the church's constitution could not be ruled on because of the court case.
"Right now we have a lady archbishop, but we still need an archbishop. We can't elect one until this matter has been settled," said one of the members.
The drama at St John's began after former archbishop Joseph Maragu died in 2005.
A court interdict had stripped Maragu of his leadership position in 2004 after he was accused of trying to amend the church's constitution to make way for his wife Gladys to be his successor.
The church was founded by Prophet Christinah Mokotuli Nku in 1939 in Evaton, Sebokeng.
Her husband Lazarus was the first bishop. MaNku, as she was known, selected her son Johannes to succeed her but John Masango challenged this, first through elections, which he won, and then by taking the matter to the supreme court after he was expelled. In 1971, Masango was declared the new archbishop.
- monnakgotlam@sowetan.co.za
Unholy war over church to be settled out of court
THE two factions in battle for leadership of the St John's Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Katlehong, East Rand, have agreed to settle the matter out of court.
Over 150 congregants attended the hearing that was only addressed at the end of the day after private discussions between the parties.
The church's secretary Simon Mofokeng wants to take power from Bishop Gladys Maragu, to stop her becoming the archbishop.
After a seven-year battle at the Johannesburg High Court, an agreement to end the conflict was reached. According to the agreement, the court will appoint a mediator to assist the church with their forthcoming election of an archbishop.
Attorney Bronwyn Murray denied the church was divided. "There aren't factions within the church. It's only one man who is challenging the [church's] constitution," she said.
Some executive committee members who wanted to remain anonymous said the administration at the church was under control, but that issues stated in the church's constitution could not be ruled on because of the court case.
"Right now we have a lady archbishop, but we still need an archbishop. We can't elect one until this matter has been settled," said one of the members.
The drama at St John's began after former archbishop Joseph Maragu died in 2005.
A court interdict had stripped Maragu of his leadership position in 2004 after he was accused of trying to amend the church's constitution to make way for his wife Gladys to be his successor.
The church was founded by Prophet Christinah Mokotuli Nku in 1939 in Evaton, Sebokeng.
Her husband Lazarus was the first bishop. MaNku, as she was known, selected her son Johannes to succeed her but John Masango challenged this, first through elections, which he won, and then by taking the matter to the supreme court after he was expelled. In 1971, Masango was declared the new archbishop.
- monnakgotlam@sowetan.co.za
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