The suspension of pro-ANC priest Bishop Daniel Matebesi as president of the National Interfaith Council of SA (Nicsa) for alleged misconduct has been lifted.

This is after Matebesi apologised before a special meeting of the organisation's national executive committee (NEC) on Monday. The executive accepted his apology.

Sowetan reported last week that Matebesi had been suspended from Nicsa over allegations that he raised funds from the Department of Social Development for Nicsa's upcoming conference and did not account for them.

Another allegation against him was that he mobilised Nicsa's members to attend a prayer event of the ANC Women's League on behalf of the organisation, when he knew Nicsa was apolitical.

Reverend Thamsanqa Mvambo, Nicsa's secretary general, said that debate at the special meeting was robust.

"After careful considerations and after he had answered most of the allegations that were levelled against him, the NEC accepted his responses and also accepted his apology," said Mvambo.

"The reason for his apology was that part of his conduct was not in line with the principles that govern our organisation. He accepted that he did not attend certain meetings."

Mvambo said Matebesi explained that he did not raise any money from social development. His clarification for his involvement in the ANCWL prayer was accepted.

"His explanation was also that he did not go there to represent Nicsa. He went there in his personal capacity, as a man of the cloth," said Mvambo. "We're non-partisan. We work with everybody."

Formed five years ago, Nicsa is an interfaith umbrella organisation including leaders from mainstream and charismatic churches, African indigenous churches, Rastafarians and the Jewish, Muslim and Hindu faiths.

Matebesi told Sowetan his apology in the meeting was on the basis that his office did not communicate sufficiently with Mvambo's office as the secretary.

nkosib@sowetan.co.za